100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

Carly Community

jannikdark5

VW Virtus Power Loss: MAF and O2 Sensor Alert

My 2023 VW Virtus has been acting up lately with reduced power and jerking during acceleration. The check engine light is on and the engine runs rough, especially when accelerating. Based on some research, I suspect the engine might be running too lean. The mass air flow sensor or oxygen sensor readings could be off, but I want to hear from others who had similar issues. Has anyone experienced these symptoms and gotten them fixed? What was the actual problem and how did your mechanic resolve it? Looking to narrow down the possible causes before taking it to the shop. Any insights about common fuel mixture problems with these engines would be helpful.

4 comment(s)

melissapeters7

Having some experience with VW engines, I dealt with nearly identical symptoms on my 2021 VW Polo last year. The check engine light came on, accompanied by power loss and rough running, particularly during acceleration. Initially, I also suspected the mass air flow sensor, but after diagnostic testing, the workshop found that one of the fuel injectors was faulty, causing an incorrect air-fuel ratio. The defective injector wasnt delivering the proper amount of fuel, leading to the lean running condition. The repair involved: Complete diagnostic scan, Testing of all fuel injectors, Replacement of the faulty injector, Recalibration of the fuel delivery system Total cost was 515€ including parts and labor. Since the repair, the engine has run smoothly with no issues. To better assist with your case, could you share: Current mileage on your Virtus, Whether you notice any unusual fuel consumption, If the problem occurs more when the engine is cold or warm, Any recent maintenance history The symptoms strongly point to a fuel delivery issue, but knowing these details would help confirm if your situation matches what I experienced with my Polo.

jannikdark5 (Author)

My Virtus is at 77280km and just had its annual service last month. After replacing the faulty fuel injector and cleaning the throttle body, the rough running and power loss completely disappeared. The check engine light also went off. The mechanic mentioned the mass air flow sensor readings were normal, ruling that out as a potential cause. The catalytic converter was also inspected and found to be functioning properly. Total repair cost was 480€ and the car now runs like new again.

melissapeters7

Thanks for the update on your Virtus repair. Glad to hear the issue was resolved. The symptoms and fix match exactly what happened with my Polo, a faulty fuel injector causing lean running conditions and power loss. Your repair cost was actually slightly better than what I paid (480€ vs 515€). The throttle body cleaning was a smart addition by your mechanic that probably helped optimize the air-fuel ratio even further. One tip from my experience: I now make sure to use high-quality fuel and changed my driving habits slightly, avoiding very low fuel levels in the tank. Since implementing these changes with my Polo after the injector replacement, the EGR valve and fuel delivery system have stayed trouble-free. Getting that proper diagnosis instead of just assuming it was the mass air flow sensor saved both of us from unnecessary parts replacement. These VW engines are generally reliable, but when fuel injectors start acting up, they can definitely cause those lean running symptoms we both experienced.

jannikdark5 (Author)

Good to provide an update on my Virtus repair outcome. The faulty fuel injector and dirty throttle body were indeed causing all those symptoms. After getting them fixed, the check engine light cleared and the engine runs perfectly again. The diagnosis process was thorough, the mechanic checked the mass air flow sensor readings which turned out normal, and also inspected the intake manifold and catalytic converter to rule out other potential issues. Having driven the car for a few days now after the repair, the jerking during acceleration is completely gone. At 77280km, I was worried it might be something more serious, but the 480€ repair cost was reasonable considering it solved all the problems. Really glad I asked here first to narrow down the likely causes instead of just throwing parts at it. The air-fuel ratio is now optimal and the engine feels as responsive as when it was new.

Join the discussion now: