loss of power, cylinders two and four are not firing?

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
150,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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DASTCU
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The car runs fine, then sputters and loses power. When the tank is full after gassing up it runs fine again but loses power again after a while. The scanner says 2 and 4 cylinders are not firing. O2 sensors etc... This happens intermittently. I think fuel pump or relay. Car starts fine, so maybe not??? Help!
Aug 4, 2022 at 1:53 AM
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STRAILER
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,273 POSTS
The fact that it runs okay when full of gas says fuel pump, here are the instructions on how to change it out in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.




Aug 4, 2022 at 12:55 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi,

If the fuel pressure was the issue, it wouldn't only affect cylinders 2 and 4. When was the last time the vehicle was tuned up? Have you removed the affected spark plugs to inspect them?

As far as a misfire, it can be caused by several things. However, the idea that you have two at the same time reduces that. Have you checked to see if there are any vacuum leaks? If not, start with that.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Also, I need to know if the two happened at the same time or is this an ongoing issue?

If possible, remove the spark plugs from cylinders 2 and 4 and check them. If possible, take a pic of them and upload them for me to see.

Let me know.

Joe
Aug 4, 2022 at 1:05 PM
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