Multiple cylinder misfire in 2000 passat

[dlewis]

hello, i have a 2000 vw passat 2.8l v6 wagon with the cel reading both a cylinder 2 misfire and a cylinder 4 misfire. when i first checked the codes it came up as P1177 which is a bad o2 sensor behind the cat but that code just went away. the coil pack was recently replaced and i dont know where i would even start to correct this problem. This is my first car and i already dropped over a grand into the sound system in the car and would like to have it for as long as possible. Ive tried to pin-point the problem but i dont wanna just go and start replacing things just to see if thats the problem

[RPGGUY07]

I had a similar problem with my 1.8t the first thing that was recommended was to check your sparklugs make sure they arent burn out. thats the cheapest thing before moving on to the next. I checked mine and since they were really black i decided do change them to sum cheapo autozone ones just to check. it still read the same so i decided to check my distributors and they looked kind of burned so instead of just ordering the one that was misfiring, i ordered all 4 and replaced them. When i did the problem was fixed i had no more misfire or engine stalling out feel so you might want to do the simple stuff first althought the distributors were like $150 from advance auto

[scotts13]

Start with the basics - spark plugs, plug wires, and the coil. Get it scanned for codes. Don't assume a replacement part is good, and don't assume something from an auto parts store is "just as good" as OEM. Use the factory recommend spark plugs, not what the parts store says will fit.

Did you just get the car? Word to the wise - don't drop big bucks on accessories without leaving a cash reserve for "surprises" - Passats love them.

[dlewis]

yeah i got the car just over 2 months ago and it was having a problem getting up to speed and slipping for a little so i used injector cleaner and it stopped and was running fine up until a few days ago. i havent really been driving it too much and yesterday i realized that after i went for a little drive i looked under the hood and saw a misty smoke coming from the back left of the engine down below so i couldnt really see exactly where it was coming from. Im new to vw and it seems like the stack everything on top of each other so its impossible to get to. im wondering if it could be the purge valve. any ideas?

Oh and RPGGUY07
i have a 2-4 coil pack, not a distributor.

[scotts13]

Welcome to the club. One thing you'll quickly learn is not to ignore symptoms or band-aid them; problems on these cars don't heal themselves; they just get more expensive. And yes, it's typical of German engineering in general to have to disassemble the entire machine to get to one part.

Doesn't sound like a purge valve. Sounds like a leaky valve cover gasket and/or cam adjuster seal. They'll leak oil down the back of the engine, causing a little smoke and usually an oil smell in the car. The VCG can also lead to fouled plugs and misfires.

I'd take a good look around the heads and down the back of the engine. Inspect the spark plug wells for oil; and look at the plugs themselves. If you find it, you'll be looking at cleaning out the PCV system, and replacing the gaskets and seals.

[dlewis]

how would i go about even finding the spark plugs. ive been trying to find them for a couple days now and they just seem buried. pictures would be a huge help

[dlewis]

i was also wondering if there was any way it could be a fuel delivery problem or if there was any recall for my model.

[scotts13]

Ahh... OK. If you can't find your spark plugs, maybe checking this yourself isn't for you. The engine has sound absorbing covers over it, you have to remove those. I'd recommend picking up at least a basic shop manual for the car; Haynes makes one for about $20. Or take the car to a VW specialist.

A fuel delivery problem could certainly be causing your misfire; I've even had a slight misfire caused by a vacuum hose leak (which threw off the mixture, etc.) But a spark issue is much more common and much easier to fix, so you start there.

[dlewis]

ok. can anyone tell me what the black hose that runs right behind the coil pack from the air filter to the back right side of the engine. im missing about a foot length of that tube and im wondering what it is and if that could be causing my misfires

[rayj]

ok. can anyone tell me what the black hose that runs right behind the coil pack from the air filter to the back right side of the engine. im missing about a foot length of that tube and im wondering what it is and if that could be causing my misfires

If you're missing the leading foot near the coil packs, and it's a brittle tube around 1/2 inch dia. , it may be the PCV tube that plugs into the front of the passenger side valve cover and runs over to a triple connection of like tubes in the back of the driver's side valve cover. If so, it's probably got a coffee color gunk visible inside.

[dlewis]

so that pcv tube could be whats causing my multiple misfires?