1991 Passat - no power

I have a 1991 VW Passat. When it's cold, you have to pump the accellerator pedal a few times to get it to idle. I've tried changing the cold start injector, doesn't make a difference. Another problem, there's very poor acceleration, slow response. Anyone know what the problem is? The car is an automatic.

I have a '90 Passat-16-valve automatic w/ the same problem. Mine seems to run slightly better when it's cold. Have you found a fix for yours?

Not enough info to pinpoint the problem. Could be related to the idle air stabilizer. Little chrome lookin cylinder thing on the driver side of the motor near the top and forward of the distributor. One electrical connection, two medium size hoses connected to it, attached to the intake with bracket and rubber "ring" holder.
Had a similar problem once and pulled it off and sprayed it out with carb cleaner. Dry and reassemble, and haven't had the problem since.

Or it could be something completely different :)

Good luck.

Not enough info to pinpoint the problem. Could be related to the idle air stabilizer. Little chrome lookin cylinder thing on the driver side of the motor near the top and forward of the distributor. One electrical connection, two medium size hoses connected to it, attached to the intake with bracket and rubber "ring" holder.
Had a similar problem once and pulled it off and sprayed it out with carb cleaner. Dry and reassemble, and haven't had the problem since.

Or it could be something completely different :)

Good luck.


Im wondering...is this he same rubber "ring" that once pulled off and the car started..the metal tube makes a spitting noise? If so is that the reason why my car has poor acceleration?

"Im wondering...is this he same rubber "ring" that once pulled off and the car started..the metal tube makes a spitting noise? If so is that the reason why my car has poor acceleration? "

Uh, yes if you disconnected the stabilizer things would not be right. I have not tried disconnecting parts of my vehicle and starting the car, mostly because that makes no sense. But it would likely make a "spitting sound" from the air leak in the intake system.

If you have a power issue, the best thing is to do a systematic diagnostic starting with pulling codes with the vag-1551 or equivalent, then progressing to other things like checking fuel supply/pressure, ignition components, and also compression.
disconnecting components that may or may not be functioning is not the best way to find the source of an engine performance issue.

If you do not have the bently manual, you should buy it and follow the diagnostic procedures located therein.

Buenas suerte, kanda.