Passat 20v hesitating

[Fourbears]

I've got a 1999 1.8 20v APT engined Passat and when decelerating it jumps at 1500rpm as though the throttle is suddenly closing. I'm now getting a hesitation, almost like a misfire, especially when cold on a light throttle. Is the throttle body at fault or what else should I check?The car has done only 79k and fuel economy is acceptable (I think), averaging about 30mpg. Any ideas gratefully received.

[Imran]

do you have any flat spots when driving? In the sense that you put your foot down and nothing much happens for a sec and then it goes? i had this issue on my sat, same model same engine code, i cleaned out the throttle body control, using some throttle body cleaner, available from any decent motor shop, been good as gold since.

my tbc was CAKED in black gunk!

[DavieO]

Funnily enough I just got my car repaired today and it had a similar problem. On inspection after some juddery weeks I checked under the plastic cover above the drivers side mid engine and found that (here's the technical bit) the charcoal filter thingy, had broken off and required to be repaired/replaced. It seems fine now it's been fixed.
May be unrelated but worth checking.