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manfredraven1

VW Nivus Power Loss: Fuel System Warning Signs

My VW Nivus (2023, gasoline, 70399km) has been acting up lately with power loss and rough running. The check engine light is on and the car jerks during acceleration. A previous mechanic visit left me skeptical of their diagnosis. Based on the symptoms, I suspect the engine might be running too lean. Has anyone experienced similar issues? Looking for feedback on potential causes, maybe a faulty oxygen sensor or throttle body problems? Also interested in recommendations for reliable mechanics who really know fuel system issues.

4 comment(s)

victoriabraun90

Had the exact same symptoms on my VW T-Cross (2020, gasoline) and it turned out to be a faulty fuel injector. The check engine light came on with similar power delivery issues and jerking during acceleration. The air-fuel ratio was way off, causing the engine to run lean. Initial diagnosis confirmed this through testing the oxygen sensor readings. Further investigation revealed one injector was not spraying fuel properly, affecting the intake manifold pressure and overall combustion efficiency. The fix required removing and testing all injectors. One was indeed clogged and not atomizing fuel correctly. This is actually a serious issue since running lean can potentially damage engine components over time. The EGR valve was also cleaned during the service since carbon deposits often build up when fuel delivery is compromised. After replacing the defective injector and cleaning the fuel system, the engine returned to smooth operation. This type of issue typically requires specialized diagnostic equipment to properly identify the failing component, as symptoms can mimic other fuel and sensor-related problems. Best practice is finding a shop with proper VW diagnostic tools and fuel system expertise. Injector issues are not something to ignore or delay fixing.

manfredraven1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the injector issue. Really helpful since I am dealing with similar symptoms. The shop I went to initially suggested it might be the mass air flow sensor, but after reading about your fuel injector problem, that seems more likely given the identical symptoms. Before I book another appointment, would you mind sharing how much the injector replacement and system cleaning cost? Also curious if youve had any related issues pop up since the repair, especially with the throttle body or spark plugs? I want to make sure I get it fixed right the first time to avoid any long-term engine damage from running lean.

victoriabraun90

The injector replacement and cleaning totaled 515€, which was money well spent considering how smoothly the engine runs now. The repair completely resolved the lean condition that was causing all those drivability issues. Since having the faulty injector replaced six months ago, the check engine light hasnt returned and the air-fuel ratio has remained perfect. No problems with the throttle body or spark plugs either. The jerking during acceleration is completely gone and power delivery is back to normal. The key was finding a shop that properly diagnosed the root cause instead of just throwing parts at the problem. They used proper diagnostic equipment to confirm the injector was failing before replacing it. Running lean due to a bad injector can definitely cause engine damage if left unfixed, so getting it properly repaired is crucial. Would strongly recommend having your car checked specifically for injector issues given the matching symptoms. The testing process involves checking spray patterns and flow rates for each injector while monitoring the intake manifold readings.

manfredraven1 (Author)

I finally took my car to a different mechanic who specializes in VW fuel systems. Turns out you were spot on, it was indeed a faulty fuel injector. The diagnostic testing showed uneven spray patterns and the oxygen sensor readings confirmed the lean condition. The repair cost came to 480€ for the injector replacement and complete fuel system cleaning. What a relief to have it properly diagnosed and fixed. The check engine light is now off and the car runs perfectly smooth during acceleration. No more jerking or power loss issues. The mechanic also inspected the catalytic converter and other components to ensure no damage occurred from the lean condition. Thankfully everything else checked out fine. The EGR valve was slightly dirty but not enough to require cleaning yet. Really glad I got a second opinion and found a shop with the right diagnostic equipment. Its been two weeks since the repair and the engine performance is completely back to normal. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with the injector issue.

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