Car is sluggish, jerking, and idles rough

Question

I have a VW Polo Classic, 1.6L.

Just recently it started to be slightly jerky when in idle and whilst driving. There is also a loss of power, a strong fuel smell, and sounding slightly like a VW Beetle.

I am thinking it is either:

Spark plugs
Fuel Filter
Fuel Pump

Can anyone lend some advice on how to determine the issue?

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:47

Other possible sources:

Vacuum Leak
Other Ignition item (Plug Wires, Distributer, etc.)
Really poor fuel
Air Filter Blocked
Exhaust Blockage

I would start with the spark plugs. Take them out and see if they can give any indication as to the true problem. See this answer for more info (While you have them out, replace them if you need to). Then start checking/replacing easy items like: Looking for disconnected hoses, checking the air filter, etc.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 28 '16 at 00:37

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Hi I had the same problem with my Polo 1.6 2008 model the HT leads come with a metal surround that arc's against the cylinder head remove the metal surround and it resolved me problem

answered Mar 28 '16 at 00:37

Sam type R

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 02 '18 at 18:26

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MlAfter a lot of investigation, we found mine was caused by a wire that was coming away inside the distributor cap

answered Mar 02 '18 at 18:26

Pete

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score 0 · Answer 4 · edited Dec 20 '16 at 11:29

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Well, that sounds exactly like what my car had. Everything in your description matches what I was worrying about and at the shop they told me it was a faulty oxygen sensor. The repair will cost me $300 dollars.

edited Dec 20 '16 at 11:29

dlu

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answered Feb 23 '16 at 15:55

Kat

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 12 '12 at 05:40

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IAC, if it's fuel injected.

answered Apr 12 '12 at 05:40

Mark Johnson

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Car is sluggish, jerking, and idles rough

5 Answers5