VW Polo Diesel Jerking: Bad Injectors vs Coil Issues

Had similar symptoms with my 2013 VW Golf TDI. The rough acceleration and jerking turned out to be clogged fuel injectors combined with a failing fuel pump. These symptoms are common in diesel engines around this mileage. Initial diagnosis showed engine misfires, but further testing revealed carbon buildup was restricting fuel flow. The fuel injectors needed professional cleaning and recalibration. The fuel pump also showed signs of wear, affecting fuel pressure and causing inconsistent delivery. This was a serious issue requiring immediate attention since bad fuel injectors can lead to complete engine failure if ignored. The repair included: Full fuel injector cleaning and testing, Fuel pump replacement, New fuel filter installation, Computer system reset The engine ran smoothly after the repair with no more jerking or rough acceleration. Given the symptoms described, recommend having fuel injectors tested first. A reputable diesel specialist should perform a proper pressure test before replacing parts. Would not return to a shop that did questionable work, as diesel injection systems require precise diagnostic equipment and expertise.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your situation sounds exactly like what I went through with my VW Polo last winter. The engine misfire symptoms and rough acceleration were quite scary. The fuel injector cleaning and new fuel pump fixed everything, and now my car runs perfectly smooth. Its been 6 months with no issues. Did you remember roughly how much the total repair cost? Also curious if you had any other problems pop up since the fix? Sometimes these fuel system issues can be connected to other parts wearing out.

Thanks for asking about the costs. After getting the car fixed at a certified diesel specialist, the engine misfire and uneven running issues were completely resolved. The total repair came to 265€, which mainly covered fixing a leak in the exhaust system that was causing the irregular engine performance. Since the repair 8 months ago, the car has been running perfectly with no additional problems. The fuel pump and injectors were actually fine after testing, unlike what I initially suspected. The exhaust leak was creating incorrect readings which triggered the check engine light and caused the rough running symptoms. This kind of experience really shows why proper diagnostic testing is important before replacing parts. A good mechanic will check all systems thoroughly rather than just swapping components. The fuel system and exhaust are closely connected, so problems in one area can mimic issues in another. For preventive maintenance, I did have them check the air filter and crankshaft sensor while they had the car, but both were still in good condition. Regular maintenance helps catch these issues before they become major problems.

I decided to head to a different mechanic after reading your advice. The new shop ran a complete diagnostic and found the root cause quickly. Like your case, my fuel injectors needed serious cleaning and the fuel pump showed early signs of wear. The total repair came to 780€ including parts and labor. They also spotted a worn crankshaft sensor during inspection which they replaced while the car was up on the lift. The mechanic showed me the dirty injectors and explained how carbon buildup was affecting performance. Three months later and the car runs like new. No more jerking or rough acceleration issues. The engine starts immediately and idles smoothly. Fuel economy has improved too. Really glad I switched mechanics, the new shop did thorough work and explained everything clearly. Planning to stick with them for future maintenance. They recommended checking the timing belt at my next service since its never been changed. Makes sense given the mileage.