Q: Clogged fuel injectors? Bad spark plugs? Bad fuel filter?

asked by on February 28, 2017

Ok guys i just bought a 2003 volkswagon passat. I brought it home and noticed i was getting miss fires from cylinders 1 and 3. When i push on the gas the car hesitates a little then accelerates. When i stop at stops signs or stop lights it idles rough and kind of shakes. Can this maybe be something with the dirty fuel injecters or what?

My car has 81263 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is slow to accelerate Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Engine misfiring problems are typically caused by malfunctioning fuel injectors or spark plugs not firing correctly. Typically when you purchase a car, it’s a good idea to have a tune up completed, which will clean your fuel injectors, and replace spark plugs and spark plug wires. This might resolve all of your acceleration issues as well. However, it is always best to have a professional mobile mechanic first complete a car is slow to accelerate inspection, so they can pinpoint what needs to be replaced in order to resolve the issues you are experiencing.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

When do I need a radiator flush?
Hello. Your coolant should be changed as regular maintenance. The coolant in your car should be changed about every 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Having it changed will help the engine and various other components last longer....
Brake pedal feels hard
It sounds as though you may have a brake hose that has collapsed inside. There are three flexible hydraulic hoses on your car that allow the brake lines to move with the wheels. There are two on the front and...
I can wobble the power steering pulley and the belt keeps coming off. Do I need to replace the whole power steering pump?
With no information on the make and model of your vehicle, the information we can give you may or may not pertain to your vehicle. On most make and models, yes you can swap out the pulley by itself. You...
Poor acceleration and rough idling at times.
This may be related to a dirty or failing idle air control valve, or throttle position sensor. The idle air control valve is a unit that reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel, prior to being injected...
95 honda accord long crank to get started than runs like a champ what causes that
Hi there. In most cases when an engine sits for a while and is hard to start, it is caused by fuel injectors that are clogged with excessive debris or a dirty throttle body. It is also possible that the...
Misfire on coils 4,5,6 after I replaced all coils and spark plugs
Hi there. When you have a misfire that happens after replacing ignition components, it's usually due to the spark plug wires or coil packs not being installed correctly or being the wrong parts. It might be a good idea to...
security light blinking
The immobilizer may be preventing the engine from starting. If the security warning light is on constantly while you are trying to start the car, please refer to YourMechanic's immobilizer tutorial - suggestions for disabling (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-shut-off-the-anti-theft-device-in-your-car-by-jason-unrau). If you cannot disable...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen GTI
The The 2012 Volkswagen GTI has a good suspension offering a smooth drive on any type of pavement. The interior feels luxurious because of the high quality materials used for the seats and the overall unique design of the vehicle....
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Volkswagen Routan
For For those who need a vehicle that focuses on people-moving and little else, the 2012 Volkswagen Routan just might hit the mark. With improved fuel economy and responsiveness compared to the Chrysler platform on which it is based, this...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for First Time Car Owners
Owning Owning your very first car is an exciting time in a person’s life. Likely you want to put a lot of thought and research into the process to ensure you get something that meets your needs, is fun to...