VW Transporter: Injector Issues Behind Power Loss

I had a very similar issue with my 2021 VW Caddy last winter. With some experience in basic maintenance, I initially thought it might be something simpler, but the symptoms you describe match exactly what I encountered. The vehicle showed all the classic signs of injector clogging, rough idle, increased fuel consumption, and inconsistent power delivery. My workshop ran a diagnostic test that confirmed the injection system was compromised. The technicians found significant carbon buildup causing irregular fuel spray patterns. Rather than immediate replacement, they first attempted a professional cleaning service of the injection system. This resolved the issue completely, costing 515€ including parts and labor. The improvement in performance was immediate, smooth idle returned, fuel economy improved, and the engine ran like new. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Transporter, Type of fuel you typically use, Service history, particularly fuel system maintenance, Check engine light status, Any diagnostic codes pulled This information would help determine if your situation might require similar treatment or if there could be other underlying issues affecting the fuel delivery system. Regular preventive maintenance and using quality fuel can help prevent such injection system issues in the future. Consider using fuel system cleaners periodically to maintain optimal performance.

Thanks for your detailed response. Just had my last service at 71620km and the symptoms started shortly after. The diagnostic report shows error code P0201, indicating an issue with cylinder 1 injector circuit. My check engine light has been flashing intermittently since the misfire symptoms began. Based on your experience with injector cleaning, this sounds promising. Though given the error code specifically pointing to an electrical circuit problem, I wonder if cleaning alone would resolve the issue. Did your diagnosis show any specific error codes before the cleaning solved it? The vehicle emissions have definitely increased recently, I can smell it. Could this be related to the faulty injector?

Thanks for the additional details about the error code. My situation started differently, no specific injector circuit codes appeared in my case, which is why cleaning worked so well. P0201 points to an electrical issue rather than just clogging, making this a different scenario than what I encountered. While my misfire symptoms cleared up with cleaning, yours likely needs component replacement since the vehicle is showing a circuit malfunction. The increased emissions you notice align with a misfire condition. When the fuel injection system malfunctions, unburned gasoline can exit through the exhaust, causing that noticeable smell. My Caddy had similar symptoms before repair. Based on both our experiences with VW injection systems, I recommend having the specific injector replaced rather than just cleaned. The repair cost for a single injector replacement on my vehicle (when I needed one later) ran about 750€ including parts, labor, and programming. The good news is that once replaced, these newer VW injection systems tend to perform reliably. Just ensure the workshop uses original parts and properly programs the new injector to match your engine management system.

Thanks for the helpful input. After comparing my situation with the responses, I've decided to book the Transporter in for injector replacement rather than just cleaning, given the P0201 error code. I agree the diesel emissions increase and misfire symptoms match what others experienced, but the electrical circuit error makes my case different. Better to address the root cause properly rather than try cleaning first. The quoted 750€ cost seems reasonable for injector replacement, programming and labor. Will make sure they use OEM parts to avoid future injection system problems. Really helpful to hear from others who dealt with similar issues, gives me confidence in the repair direction. Will update once the work is completed in case anyone else runs into comparable engine performance problems with their VW.