[Yowakawaka]

Sorry guys but this isn’t even a Chevy or anything cool.

I’m working on my girlfriends 08 VW Rabbit. It has a misfire code and a evap system code. When I drove it, it had a bad misfire and for some reason it would have trouble starting after pumping gas.

Im not a VW guy but I have a theory. Maybe the evap system leak is causing the injector to not pump fuel at the correct PSI. I don’t know!?! Maybe…..

I figured a can of Berrymans B12 might fix the misfire. I was gonna grab a set of plugs too because it’ll be cheap reassurance. The guy at the parts store told me the vehicle runs double platinum. This isn’t true right? I can just put in regular plugs? Also, are Bosch the OEM plugs for this or is there another brand you guys might suggest? I was just gonna get the ones below.

I’m not sure how to track down the leak. Sniff around! Lol.

I’ll post a photo of the printout from the parts store when I get a chance so you guys can check it out.

Thanks for the help in advance everyone,
Yowakawaka

 

[gwarren007]

What are your codes? that would point in the right direction. My 2014 Jetta had a misfire, and it set specific codes.

You should also look a VWVortex.com

 

[Dan_in_WA]

The most common cause of an evap code is a loose or defective gas cap. This short video is a good tutorial for who ever is interested, not VW specific but I believe they’re all pretty much the same.

As for the mis-fire, depending on the code you may need a reader that reads VW specific codes. Not all of ‘em do.

+1 on visiting VWVortex.

 

[Yowakawaka]

@gwarren007 @Dan_in_WA here you guys go.

I’m gonna get some spark plugs from RockAuto. Do I need to run double platinum and what brand should I use? I’m gonna grab a gas cap too

Thanks and happy Thanksgiving,
Yowakawaka

 

[Dan_in_WA]

The best advice I can give on the plugs is to go to the VW sites and see what is recommended most often.

I ran Bosch Platinum in my ‘87 Chrysler 2.2L Turbo engine with good results. For whatever reason, that engine didn’t like the Nippondenso plugs AT ALL.

Iridium plugs are supposed to last even longer than the Platinum plugs. Technology has advanced some since 2008. I wouldn’t go with the cheapest option, you generally get what you pay for and you’ll want it to stay fixed.

ECSTuning sells high quality parts for European cars, here’s an example,

Misfires are a real PITA. Get a top quality part that you won’t question later if the problem reappears (voice of experience…)

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[aitch]

You might also check for OEM parts at Euro Parts or FCP Euro. I've used both for parts for my Audi, and both are very competitive on pricing. Lately, I've been favoring FCP, as they have a lifetime* warranty on parts you buy from them. I have seen ECS be competitive on parts' prices as well, but it never hurts to check around.

 

[Yowakawaka]

So here’s what I went with @aitch @Dan_in_WA
I’m going with Rockauto because it’s a little cheaper and with the holidays here money is a little tight. I did match all the parts off FCP Euro tho. Also, I don’t know why but I trust Bosch brand for some reason. Lol

I haven’t placed the order yet because I’m trying to figure out what gas cap to get. None of the ones on Rockauto match the one on the car. Does it make a difference? Check out the one on the car.

Here’s one on Rockauto and they all look the same.

My guess is it’ll make the check engine light come on?!?

Thanks for all the help guys,
Yowakawaka

 

[Dan_in_WA]

The pictures for the RockAuto gas cap are definitely the wrong one for your gf’s VW.

Just went through this same thing with my son-in-law’s Grand Prix. Catalog said one thing, we needed the other.

The RockAuto picture shows a gas cap with threads. The one off your gf’s VW has the dimples for a 1/4 turn (or so) to latch.

I’d take the gas cap to your local auto parts store and match it against the one they take off their shelf.

 

[Dan_in_WA]

Oh yes, Bosch is also an OEM supplier to VW and Audi IIRC. You won’t go wrong with those coils!

Bosch also was the OEM of a lot of the parts on my ‘87 Chrysler Turbo 1 (no intercooler). I’ve never had trouble with their parts.

Just avoid “Made in China” and all will be good! Chinese machine work and assembly is as good as anybody’s, the problem is the inferior materials. Electrical contacts burn out, axle shafts can be soft metal, I’ve got a lot of war stories.

 

[aitch]

This looks like what you are needing - the bayonet twist lock style, not the threaded style, IIRC.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-fuel-tank-cap-cc-vag-3c8201550?ads_cmpid=6448056600&ads_adid=79618516000&ads_matchtype=&ads_network=u&ads_creative=377545097725&utm_term=&ads_targetid=pla-329580089961&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&ttv=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9dG5sey29AIVVeTICh1LlgkhEAQYFCABEgINDPD_BwE

It doesn't show the application for an '08 Rabbit, but it sure looks like a match. The part number is molded into the side of the 'handle' at the top of the cap, but I couldn't quite read it on the photo. You could call FCP and they can help you insure you get the right cap.

 

[Yowakawaka]

Yesterday I got the plugs and coil pack in. Started up great and the check engine light turned off. The car hasn’t been drive much but hopefully it doesn’t turn back in for the evap code. Here’s what the spark plugs looked like.

There was oil on plugs 2 and 3 so that sucked but what’s a guy gonna do. The car only has 130k miles on it. The plugs were kind of hard to get out because the guy before me didn’t use antiseize.

Here’s #5 with the misfire. Looks a little lean. I have some cans of Berrymans coming so I’ll drop one more in and hopefully it helps.

So here’s something interesting and it HC this problem before the plug/coil pack change. For some reason when you put gas in it, EVERY TIME, it doesn’t want to start. I have to crank it for a few seconds and give it gas. It’ll run a little rough for a few seconds and then smooth out. Maybe it has to do with the evap code that went away after the new parts. I pumped some gas in it last night after the new parts and it did the same thing. My guess is air gets in the fuel system when you open the gas cap to pump gas. When you go to start it pressure needs to build up for it to run right. Just a guess……more like swinging for the fence. Lol

Thanks for all the help guys,
Yowakawaka

 

[aitch]

Yesterday I got the plugs and coil pack in. Started up great and the check engine light turned off. The car hasn’t been drive much but hopefully it doesn’t turn back in for the evap code. Here’s what the spark plugs looked like.
View attachment 355856
There was oil on plugs 2 and 3 so that sucked but what’s a guy gonna do. The car only has 130k miles on it. The plugs were kind of hard to get out because the guy before me didn’t use antiseize.

View attachment 355857 Here’s #5 with the misfire. Looks a little lean. I have some cans of Berrymans coming so I’ll drop one more in and hopefully it helps.

So here’s something interesting and it HC this problem before the plug/coil pack change. For some reason when you put gas in it, EVERY TIME, it doesn’t want to start. I have to crank it for a few seconds and give it gas. It’ll run a little rough for a few seconds and then smooth out. Maybe it has to do with the evap code that went away after the new parts. I pumped some gas in it last night after the new parts and it did the same thing. My guess is air gets in the fuel system when you open the gas cap to pump gas. When you go to start it pressure needs to build up for it to run right. Just a guess……more like swinging for the fence. Lol

Thanks for all the help guys,
Yowakawaka

So, did you also do the gas cap replacement (assuming you found the right one)?

 

[Yowakawaka]

@aitch I didn’t. I found one that I’m gonna order but haven’t pulled the trigger. Since there’s no check engine light I’m wondering if I even need to replace it.

 

[Dan_in_WA]

The center electrode on that #5 plug is badly worn (rounded off), not surprising that it was misfiring. Just out of curiosity, how wide is the gap?

 

[Yowakawaka]

The gap on the plugs is .044 but I didn’t think of measuring them when I pulled out the old ones. The bummer is I just threw them away last night. I do see that tho.

 

[S10dude]

that gap looks like a .64....

 

[Yowakawaka]

Lol…..I wish I would have checked!!!