2002 1.8T engine hesitation

I have a 2002 1.8T Jetta GLS, and its been a great car, but recently as Im driving, sometimes it just feels like the power completely cuts out and it lags a little. Then suddenly it will come all the way back while Im keeping my foot on the peddle or pressing harder on the gas. Whats wrong with my car? Its only got about 54k miles on it and still under the extended warranty, so whatever it is Im sure it will get fixed if I can figure it out first. Thanks for the help.

I have a 2001 1.8t with 70k on it that is experiencing similar symptom. I notice a slight hesitation ( more like a hiccup) when I am starting out from first gear. This happens whether or not I am accelerating hard or normal. I checked the ECM but there is no code present (at least not one that a generic scan tool reads). I am not sure if you experienced any loss in fuel mileage in your case, but I have noticed around 3-4 miles per gallon less since it started to happen on mine.
I will be watching this thread, so if you do get yours fixed under warranty ( I did not purchase the extended warranty) could you please post the cause for me?
Thanks
Giuseppe

do you guys have any mods to the car? especially to the turbo? if so you could be having boost limp, this is where the boost is restricted to 5psi and wont go anymore. This could also be the reason for the loss in gas milage since the actual motor itself will have to work harder to climb on the rpms. I suggest getting a boost gauge so that way you can be able to tell me where youre boosting at, otherwise I can't help you.

My car has no mods at all, completely stock. Can I get a boost gauge from AZ or somewhere like that? I am pretty mechanically inclined, will it be obvious to me where to check this from? (Sorry, never done anything with turbos before).
Thanks

you can get a boost gauge from pretty much anywhere, pepboys, autozone, advanced auto parts....

As far as what I said ealier, boost limp is caused by too much boost for the ecu to compensate for (stock boost for a 2001 jetta is 7.5psi with a peak of 9psi. 2002 and up has it a bit higher since the turbo is larger) the stock ECU can compensate, in your case up to 13psi meaning that it will add more fuel to make up for the increase in air. If for whatever reason you had gone beyond the parameters of the ECU then it will protect itself by shutting down the turbo and only allow 5psi through. you'll notice because when you go full throttle the car will feel like it was pulled back and then you wont hear your turbo spooling or your stock blow off. You will also notice yourself accelerating much slower than normal. There are ways around this, but if you dont know the problem for sure its better if i didnt say.

BTW does a Check engine light come on?