VW Polo Fuel System Issues: Fix Your Misfiring Engine

Having dealt with similar fuel efficiency issues on my 2003 VW Golf with a comparable gasoline engine, I understand your concern. With some experience in automotive repair, I learned that fuel delivery problems can be tricky to diagnose properly. Initially, I suspected the same component, but after visiting my workshop, diagnostic tests revealed a defective high pressure pump causing the engine misfire and power issues. The car sensors picked up irregular fuel pressure patterns, triggering the check engine light consistently. The complete repair included: Full diagnostic scan, Fuel pressure testing, High pressure pump replacement, System reprogramming, Test drive verification Total cost came to 1510€, which included parts and labor. After the repair, all symptoms disappeared and the engine performance returned to normal. Before suggesting specific solutions, it would help to know: Current mileage on your Polo, When was the last fuel system maintenance done, Any recent changes in fuel type or quality, Whether the check engine code has been scanned, If the problems started suddenly or developed gradually This information would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced or points to a different issue.

Thanks for sharing your experience with fuel delivery issues. Just checked my odometer, 148333km here, and had my last major service about 3 months ago. Your case sounds very similar to mine, especially the rough idling and power loss symptoms. Getting that fuel pressure test done sounds like a smart first step in diagnosing the problem. Interesting that it turned out to be the high pressure pump rather than the regulator in your situation. The check engine light appeared suddenly last week, and fuel injection performance has gotten notably worse since then. Did your repair shop mention any preventive maintenance steps to avoid similar issues in the future? Before going to the workshop, I will get those diagnostic codes scanned to have a better starting point for troubleshooting. At my mileage, it seems these fuel system issues are somewhat common.

Thanks for those additional details. Based on your mileage and symptoms, this definitely matches the pattern I experienced with my Golf. When my fuel injection issues appeared, the workshop explained that high pressure pump failures often happen around 150000km, especially when combined with rough idling and sudden performance loss. In my case, the mechanics recommended: Using high quality fuel consistently, Changing the fuel filter every 30000km, Regular fuel system cleaning every 60000km, Addressing check engine warnings promptly, Maintaining steady fuel levels above 1/4 tank These preventive steps have helped maintain proper fuel delivery since my repair. The car sensors now show normal readings, and I have not experienced any engine misfire issues in the past year. Getting those diagnostic codes will definitely help pinpoint the exact problem. When my high pressure pump was failing, it triggered specific fault codes related to fuel rail pressure. The repair costs might vary, but having accurate diagnostic data helps avoid replacing the wrong components. The sudden onset of your symptoms, combined with the mileage, strongly suggests a fuel system component failure rather than general wear and tear.

Thanks for the detailed information about preventive maintenance. Those tips about regular fuel system cleaning and filter changes make a lot of sense for maintaining proper fuel efficiency. I just got the diagnostic codes scanned at a local parts store. The codes point to fuel rail pressure issues, exactly like you mentioned. Given the similar symptoms and mileage, I am starting to think my high pressure pump might be the culprit rather than the fuel regulator I initially suspected. Will schedule a workshop visit for next week to get that fuel pressure test done and have them check the pump. The rough idling has gotten worse over the past few days, so addressing this soon seems important. Good to know the repair solved your issues completely, gives me hope this car maintenance project will have a positive outcome. I will definitely implement those preventive steps you mentioned after the repair. Especially the fuel system cleaning schedule and maintaining higher fuel levels. Never realized keeping the tank above 1/4 could help prevent future problems with the fuel delivery system. Thanks again for helping me understand what might be causing my check engine light and performance issues. Will update once I get the proper diagnosis and repair completed.