johnmond78
VW Up Rough Acceleration & Misfiring, Fix Guide
Summary of the thread
A 2021 VW Up was experiencing rough acceleration and engine misfiring, with the check engine light on. The initial suspicion was related to the fuel system or ignition components. After a diagnostic and consultation with a mechanic, the issue was traced to worn spark plugs and a faulty ignition coil, which were replaced, resolving the problem. It was also suggested to check the fuel injectors and air filter, as they can cause similar symptoms, but they were found to be in good condition. Regular maintenance and prompt diagnostics were emphasized as crucial to prevent further engine damage.
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4 comment(s)
johnmond78 (community.author)
Just had my annual service done at 127725km. After talking with the mechanic, they explained the rough idle and engine misfire were caused by worn spark plugs and one faulty ignition coil. The car has been running perfectly after replacing those components. What you described matches my symptoms exactly, especially the jerking during acceleration. You might want to have your fuel injectors checked too while they are working on it, since they can contribute to similar issues.
marielion1
Thanks for the update on your VW Up repair! Had the exact same repair done on my VW Polo last year. The spark plugs and ignition coil replacement fixed the engine misfire completely for me too. The fuel injectors were actually checked during my service but were still in good condition. Good point about the thorough inspection though, these issues often have multiple contributing factors. A failing oxygen sensor or fuel injectors can create similar symptoms, so having them checked during maintenance is smart preventive care. My repair cost was slightly lower at 220€ since only one ignition coil needed replacement. The car has been running smoothly for over 15000km now with no check engine light or jerking during acceleration. These kinds of repairs tend to last quite a while when done properly. Quick note for others reading, if you experience similar symptoms, get it checked promptly. Driving with faulty ignition components can damage other engine parts over time.
johnmond78 (community.author)
Thanks for confirming the diagnostic results. Getting the spark plugs and ignition coil replaced resolved my engine misfire issues completely. The mechanic suggested checking the fuel injectors and air filter too since they can cause similar symptoms, but those were still in good condition. Total cost came to 245€ for parts and labor, which seems fair given the thorough inspection they did. The car now runs perfectly smooth with no jerking during acceleration or rough idle. Glad I had it checked promptly before it could potentially damage other engine components. The oxygen sensor readings are also back to normal according to the diagnostic report. Will definitely keep up with regular maintenance to prevent similar issues in the future. For anyone else experiencing these symptoms, getting a proper diagnostic early on saves both money and headaches in the long run. My timing belt is due for replacement soon too, so will have that done during the next service interval.
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VW
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UP
marielion1
I had a very similar issue with my 2019 VW Polo last year. As someone with some experience working on cars, I initially thought it might be related to spark plugs or ignition coils causing engine misfire. After experiencing rough idle and jerking during acceleration, I took it to my regular workshop. The diagnostic revealed that the exhaust system had developed a leak near the manifold, which was causing irregular engine performance and triggering the check engine light. The total repair came to 265€, including parts and labor. The fix resolved all symptoms, no more rough idle, jerking, or check engine light. However, since your Up might have different specifications, could you share: Engine size, Current mileage, When was the last maintenance service, Any other unusual sounds, particularly from the exhaust area, Whether the check engine light is steady or blinking This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced. Sometimes similar symptoms can have different root causes, especially when dealing with engine misfire related problems. Also worth checking your fuel injectors and spark plugs as part of regular maintenance, as these can cause similar symptoms when they start failing.