2011 Volkswagen Jetta Exhaust/muffler backfire

2011 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
5,000 MILES • 2.5L • 5 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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FMTT6
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My son's 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL is backfiring on occasion. I also noticed a gasoline smell. Took the car to the VW dealer twice where they ran complete engine diagnostics and found nothing wrong. They were unable to duplicate the backfire either time. Engine has under 5,000 miles on it. I left the dealer each time with them saying it is not an engine problem. I don't know where to turn next. Sure enough, a week after seeing the dealer for the second time, it backfired again! Thanks much for any suggestions you can provide.
Feb 27, 2015 at 6:20 AM
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F4I_GUY
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Has the engine light ever flashed? particularly during a cold start? If so, you may have two possible problems.

Easiest solution would be a faulty ignition coil(s)
or
The valve timing solenoid often sticks and can cause a very noticeable misfire. Typically there will be a timing fault stored in the system if this does happen.

I would go to another dealer, or ask to have the shop foreman drive it and potentially do a cold start so he can feel the issue.
Feb 28, 2015 at 11:05 AM
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