VW Sharan Jerking & Power Loss Points to Intake Issues

Had similar symptoms with a 2011 VW Touran 2.0 TDI. The check engine light triggered due to a gasket leak where the intake manifold meets the cylinder head. The vacuum leak caused rough idle, power loss, and exhaust smell, classic signs of air getting in where it shouldnt. The car manifold showed clear scorching marks near the EGR connection points. This created gaps allowing unmetered air to enter, causing the engine management system to compensate incorrectly. The repair required complete manifold removal, thorough cleaning of mating surfaces, and replacement of all gaskets and seals. This is a serious issue that gets worse if left unattended. The longer it runs with vacuum leaks, the more strain on other components like sensors and the EGR system. The complete repair took nearly two full days at the shop. Would strongly suggest having it properly diagnosed and fixed soon. These symptoms rarely improve on their own and typically indicate failing gaskets or cracks in the manifold assembly itself. Get it checked by a shop experienced with VW TDI engines.

Thanks for sharing your Touran repair story. It sounds very similar to my situation. The manifold pressure issues you described match what I am experiencing. Nice to hear you got it resolved, even if it took a couple of days. Quick follow up, do you recall roughly what the total repair cost was? Also curious if any other issues popped up later related to the intake manifold or if the fix held up well long term? My local shop quoted a wide range and I am trying to get a realistic budget figure. The check engine light and performance problems are really concerning me, so any additional insight would be super helpful before I commit to the repairs.

Got my VW Touran sorted a few weeks ago and it runs perfectly now. The manifold sensor readings are back to normal and that annoying check engine light is finally gone. Total bill came to 1180€ for fixing the scorched intake manifold and replacing all related gaskets. The car runs like new, no more jerking, hesitation, or vacuum leaks. The manifold pressure is stable and the engine delivers full power again. Best part is the exhaust smell is completely gone. Looking back, I wish I had fixed it sooner since running with a faulty manifold could have caused more expensive problems. Six months later and no issues have come back. The car manifold repair was worth every cent considering the improved performance and peace of mind. My advice would be to get it fixed asap, the symptoms you describe are nearly identical to what I experienced. For reference, my repair included a full manifold inspection, replacement of damaged parts, new gaskets, and comprehensive testing to ensure proper sealing.

Thanks for the advice. I finally got my Sharan fixed last week and wanted to share how it went. The issue was exactly as discussed, a cracked intake manifold and failed gaskets causing air leaks. The repair took three days since they had to order some specific parts. Total cost was 1350€ including labor. They found the engine misfire was definitely caused by the bad manifold letting in unmetered air. The mechanic showed me the old parts and the cracks were pretty obvious. The difference in performance is incredible. No more jerking or power loss during acceleration. The air intake system is working properly now and the exhaust smell is completely gone. Most importantly, that annoying check engine light finally turned off. Really glad I got it sorted before it caused additional damage. The new shop did great work, they pressure tested everything after the repair to ensure no more gasket leaks. Money well spent considering how much better the car runs now.