VW Lupo Diesel Issues: Bad Injectors Causing Stalling

Had almost identical issues with a VW Polo 1.9 TDI from 2002. From my experience working on diesel engines, these symptoms typically point to clogging in the injection system. My vehicle showed similar problems, rough idle, misfire issues, and terrible cold starts. The emissions were also noticeably worse. After diagnostic tests, it turned out the injection valves were severely contaminated, restricting proper fuel flow. The repair involved a complete cleaning of the injection system and replacement of two faulty injectors. Total cost was 515€, including parts and labor. The difference in performance was immediately noticeable, smooth idle, better fuel economy, and no more cold start problems. Before jumping to conclusions though, could you share: Current mileage, Maintenance history, especially fuel filter changes, Check engine light status, Type of diesel fuel typically used, Any recent changes in performance This information would help determine if your symptoms match what I experienced and whether injection system cleaning might resolve your issues. Remember that regular fuel system maintenance helps prevent these problems. Using quality fuel and changing filters on schedule can significantly extend injector life.

Thanks for sharing your repair experience. My mileage is currently at 93287km and last service was completed in December. The check engine light started flickering last week and fuel consumption increased by about 20%. I typically use standard diesel from major stations and always follow maintenance schedules. Your injection system solution sounds promising since my symptoms match what you described. The performance drop became noticeable about 3 weeks ago when the vehicle started struggling with cold starts. Looking at the repair costs you mentioned, 515€ seems reasonable if it solves these issues. Going to book a diagnostic test to confirm if clogging is affecting my fuel system performance. Will update once I know more.

Good to hear back about your Lupo situation. After dealing with similar issues on my VW, I can definitely confirm that your symptoms align perfectly with what I experienced with clogged injectors, especially that 20% fuel consumption increase and the flickering check engine light. Your mileage is actually lower than when I faced these problems, but the age of our vehicles makes them susceptible to injection system issues regardless of kilometers driven. The fact that your problems developed gradually over 3 weeks is another typical sign of injector-related problems. Since your last service was recent, we can likely rule out basic maintenance issues. The misfire symptoms combined with poor cold starts strongly suggest fuel delivery problems. When I had my injection system cleaned and faulty injectors replaced, the engine response improved dramatically. A quick tip from my experience: while waiting for the diagnostic test, try running a tank of premium diesel with fuel system cleaner. This might temporarily improve performance and help confirm if the injection system is indeed the culprit. Would be interested to hear what the diagnostic results show. The repair costs can vary based on how many injectors need replacement, but the 515€ I paid ended up being a worthwhile investment considering the improved vehicle performance and reduced emissions.

The premium diesel tip makes sense, I'll try that before my diagnostic appointment next week. After researching typical diesel injection problems, your symptoms and repair experience match my situation perfectly. The gradual performance decline over 3 weeks definitely supports the clogging theory. The vehicle continues showing the same issues, rough idle, poor cold starts, and that frustrating power loss. Fuel consumption remains around 20% higher than normal. But knowing your repair resolved similar problems gives me confidence about fixing these performance issues. I already picked up some fuel system cleaner to mix with the next tank fill. Even if it only provides temporary improvement, it should help confirm whether the injection system needs attention. Will definitely post an update after the diagnostic results and any repairs. Good to know the 515€ repair cost restored normal performance. Having a realistic budget figure helps plan for the potential work needed. Hoping my Lupo just needs a thorough system cleaning rather than full injector replacement, but prepared for either scenario based on what the tests show.