UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

ok this how it goes.......
Had me GTi for about 4/5wks no probs so far
but over the last 2 wks i've had a problem
its started to chugg when its cold, it still does this after the cars been driven for a while.
the garage i bought it from insists it has been serviced (i dont think it has three reasons 1:the service insp kept flashing up ,had to reset this myself
2:the service book had'nt been stamped (minor i know) 3:the DVLA wanted to inspect the car and donor car.(this is because i was putting my plate on) if this happens they send u a copy of the mot cert for both cars it came back saying the the GTi had near legal tyres x3,and osf/ns brake discs where very pitted thought this would of been sorted
back to me prob will changing the plugs help ?
also i've been putting in Redex when i fill up,i normally use either Shell BP petrol (NO s**t) dont know if this has anything to do with it
please help

Calm down, calm down! what you're experiencing here is a common problem with all used cars in cold, wet weather. It's nothing to worry about.

First of all, stop using the redex - cars don't need that sort of junk

Going on what you have said, you've probably got duff spark plugs, or plug leads (also known as HT leads). Spark plugs should cost about £15 for the set, plug leads will be about £40 - but you may not need these.

The only real way to decide which is at fault is to replace them. My guess is the spark plugs.

The symptoms are caused by fuel not being ignited, either by spark plugs that are corroded/worn/carbon coated, or plug leads that are damaged.

Normally, this problem manifests by the car chugging/spluttering at low revs. If you thrash it / keep the revs high it doesnt splutter as much. A quick fix is to get some WD40 and spray it over the bit where the spark plugs are sunk into the cylinder head (dont remove the rubber, just give it a good soak). Also blast some at the other end of the plug leads (distributor) and generally coat the cables. This will push out any moisture and create an electrical bridge in any broken bits in the cable. My car did what yours is doing, and I was able to put off fixing it for about a month by doing this twice a week.

If you arent mechanically minded, do some googling on replacing spark plugs (it's a doddle btw). If you get some of the Iridium triple/double tip type you wont have to worry about setting gaps.

Take it easy

Oh yeah, there is one good use for redex -

If you ever feel like doing a burnout get some WD40 and spray it all over your front tyres and give them a good dosing of the redex as well - like half the bottle. Should produce some pretty crowd pleasing smoke.

Not that I've ever done anything like that.

cheers mate yeah thats whats beenhappening, person who had it before me was a little granny (NO really its on the log book, Gerty YES really)
will stop with the Redex and will change the plugs
muchas gras, cheers

lol what never tried it mmmmm whats that smell

Yeah, get some WD40 on it first and see if it fixes if for a few days. If not, it could be something more complicated (but pretty damn unlikley).

You prob will need a special tool for removing plugs, on the polo they are buried about 4-6inches deep into the engine block.

I bought this thing thats like a really long socket, but inside of it is like a thick rubber band, so that once you have loosened the spark plug you can lift it out of the depths. - You just push it onto the tip of the plug, and then the rubber kinda provides some suction so you can lift it out of the engine block. It cost me about a fiver. And when you are replacing the plugs, its pretty vital that the plug leads go back on the same position that they came out of. Before you take them out, get tippex (or borrow birds nail polish like I did) and mark them with dots, 1, 2, 3 and 4, from left to right. Make sure you put them back that way or you'll get misfire.

The guy called it a "spark plug removal tool". Just what I need, I thought. And Sundays are perfect for things like this.

would do it tommorrow but @ work will do it next weekend but gettin windows tinted

The WD40 on the tyres alone will make some serious smoke, but redex isnt good for much else.

I'd replace the plugs first, when you pluck them out, look at the tips - the bent metal bit that's about 1mm away from the copper point are probably all coated in carbon. I read an interesting article on spark plugs a while ago, it explains all about spark voltage strength, and reliabilty:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spark_plug

In particular read the bit about plug gaps - 2.2. If you get the double tip/triple tip Iridium kind you dont have to worry about gap setting.

Bring on the summer and trouble free cruising!

very true no more salty roads or minging alloys and de-icer

Mines been running abit funny at low revs, bit of spluttering which goes away when I put my foot down, so I'd guess its probably the same thing. However it only had a service about a month ago, so I would have thought they would check this?

Mite have to get my haynes manual out and change the spark plugs and see if it helps.

Depends on the mileage, not sure what the interval is for spark plugs. I know that at 60k service the spark plugs are not replaced

It was the 60k service so I guess the next scheduled renewal is 80k.

garnier wrote:
If you arent mechanically minded, do some googling on replacing spark plugs (it's a doddle btw). If you get some of the Iridium triple/double tip type you wont have to worry about setting gaps.

Take it easy

Does anyone know the best place to get some of these iridium tip type plugs from?

anywhere that sells spark plugs - I got mine from Euro carp parts but Halfrauds probably sells them

Best bet is to stick with the original OEM spark plugs. Do a search on the subject and you will find that sometimes, a different type of plug from standard causes more trouble than it is worth!