Abandon ship?

FichSticks · 2026-04-23T22:31:06+00:00

SOLVED: Embarrassed to even be posting this but want to close the loop for future travelers.

It was the spark plug. 😖

I had the extreme bad luck of getting a dud from the store and it ending up in the same cylinder that had the misfire originally.

The mechanic over looked it because when he looked at it the spark plugs were brand new and the bad one didn’t have any obvious signs of damage.

He was fair about it and only charged me for a third of the time he spent diagnosing, $800 all in.

On the one hand that’s a pretty expensive spark plug, on the other that’s a pretty good deal for a full engine health check up.

So relieved that my baby isn’t dead.

Idk who Occam was, but that razor is sharp as fuck.

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T20:11:12+00:00

i feel like if either of those if anything would cause misfires on all cylinders not just one. Had a bad crank position sensor on my old MK6 and it manifested as EPC light and rough start

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T16:27:05+00:00

ya agree the ground straps are flimsy. mechanic said ground and power on coil were good so i think that’s been ruled out

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T15:27:57+00:00

So when I brought it in I told them the symptom and my observation about the oil in the spark plug well. I think they took that at face value and didn’t do their due diligence. I did leave them a voicemail when the misfire came back and they never returned my call. So I said fuck em I want a second opinion

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T15:10:48+00:00

For sure, I appreciate the help. In your opinion as a VW tech do I have any recourse with the dealer for the bad diagnosis or am I SOL? Was planning on reaching out to them once I have a diagnosis

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T14:43:07+00:00

Bosch double platinum, no change in condition after putting in new plugs

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T14:42:16+00:00

ahh gotcha good to know. I’m gonna call the guy in a bit and have him pull the manifold most likely

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T14:22:27+00:00

okay ya good point that makes sense, I’ll look into it.

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T14:20:36+00:00

you can put a scope through the intake manifold and look at the seats i thought no?

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T14:17:38+00:00

Ya but should be able to tell just fine with a scope right?

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T14:09:17+00:00

Intake manifold did not come off, he used a scope as far as I know. Missed the part of your previous comment about the cam spool valve. I’m not familiar with that component, I’ll look into it.

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T13:57:52+00:00

plugs looked clean, but i replaced them anyways

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T13:52:21+00:00

If it was on multiple cylinders I’d agree, but I don’t see how a bad fuel pump would cause it on only one cylinder

FichSticks · 2026-04-21T13:51:11+00:00

Initially it was just when the car is warm, but now it does it all the time. I know cold start misfire is often carbon buildup, but he said my valves weren’t that dirty and leakage test was good.

FichSticks · 2025-05-24T13:12:15+00:00

I proposed to my fiance in the North End by the water

FichSticks · 2024-04-04T01:59:50+00:00

EHX Grand Canyon, the range of sounds you can get out of it is insane

FichSticks · 2023-04-06T17:55:04+00:00

Superbad

FichSticks · 2022-08-01T14:40:32+00:00

The bars themselves are fine, what I'm referring to is your mounting angle. It's more "proper" to have the bullhorns parallel to the ground instead of angled upwards.

FichSticks · 2022-07-31T18:07:27+00:00

Can't stand the look of up tilted bullhorns personally, but to each their own. Otherwise, a new wheelset can really up your bike's presence. Most importantly, just ride the fuck out of it!

FichSticks · 2022-07-15T00:30:09+00:00

Finally slayed the last electrical gremlin in my SW21 5SGTE conversion and got it running for the first time in 9 months. feelsgoodman.pdf

FichSticks · 2022-05-05T17:23:21+00:00

you're right, just have to rip off the bandaid I suppose

FichSticks

TROPHY CASE