Beetle running rough

My stepdaughter's beetle, a 1999 with a 2.0, is intermittently
missing, then smoothing out, then missing again, whether at idle or
highway speed. I'm an old Chevrolet man and know nothing re
Volkswagens, so I told her to take it to her local dealer. They
proposed changing the plugs, wires and coil to the tune of $500.00.
Seems unlikely to me that all three would need changing at the same
time, plus too expensive to boot. I had her bring it home to me but,
after looking under the hood this morning for the first time, I'm
wondering if I should have let the dealership do their thing. Can
anyong advise as to what would most likely cause the miss and if the
dealser's price quote was within reason? Also, is it possible to
change the plugs without removing the intake?
Thanks

What is the mileage on this NB?
Did the engine check light come on at all?
Need to check the DTCs with a vag-com tool.
I have not worked on a NB yet but the 2.0 liters will allow you to change
the spark plugs without disassembling the intake manifold, but it is tricky
since you don't want to destroy the wires. You are supposed to use a tool
to pull/push the spark plug wires.

BTW is your stepdaughter using the mid-grade gas? I just don't care for
that stuff!

My experience...............
Usually when the ign coil (ign transformer) goes out there are serious
running problems, but it may not set a DTC!
Spark Plugs and wires are very likely but they usually set a DTC!

The dealer wants to do a shotgun repair and hopes that it will solve her
problem.
Plugs are probably $48 for all 4
Ign Transformer is probably $125
Plug wires are probably $120 for the set from the dealer
So parts are running around $300 so the labor is probably around $200.

Did the dealer break down the costs to you or your S-Daughter?

I vote you have her change the fuel she is using and maybe put in a can of
SeaFoam for $7 and see what that does.

JMHO
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)

----- Original Message -----
From: >

> My stepdaughter's beetle, a 1999 with a 2.0, is intermittently
> missing, then smoothing out, then missing again, whether at idle or
> highway speed. I'm an old Chevrolet man and know nothing re
> Volkswagens, so I told her to take it to her local dealer. They
> proposed changing the plugs, wires and coil to the tune of $500.00.
> Seems unlikely to me that all three would need changing at the same
> time, plus too expensive to boot. I had her bring it home to me but,
> after looking under the hood this morning for the first time, I'm
> wondering if I should have let the dealership do their thing. Can
> anyong advise as to what would most likely cause the miss and if the
> dealser's price quote was within reason? Also, is it possible to
> change the plugs without removing the intake?
> Thanks
>

Yep, why take a shot and only replace 1 item at a time which adds labor
cost. Just do it all at onetime. $500 sounds about right.


"Madesio" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 01 Jul 2007 07:35:40 -0700, wrote:
>
>>My stepdaughter's beetle, a 1999 with a 2.0, is intermittently
>>missing, then smoothing out, then missing again, whether at idle or
>>highway speed. I'm an old Chevrolet man and know nothing re
>>Volkswagens, so I told her to take it to her local dealer. They
>>proposed changing the plugs, wires and coil to the tune of $500.00.
>>Seems unlikely to me that all three would need changing at the same
>>time, plus too expensive to boot. I had her bring it home to me but,
>>after looking under the hood this morning for the first time, I'm
>>wondering if I should have let the dealership do their thing. Can
>>anyong advise as to what would most likely cause the miss and if the
>>dealser's price quote was within reason? Also, is it possible to
>>change the plugs without removing the intake?
>>Thanks
>
> If your coil is defective, replacing just that would likely fix the
> misfiring .. for now. The new coil may fail in the future from the
> stress of trying to produce a spark across your likely worn out, high
> mileage, ignition cables and plugs. A responsible technician will
> usually recommend that you change the *wear-and-tear* items associated
> with the failed component. The choice of what they are going to
> replace however, is ultimately in *your* hands.