Tune Up?

[zeek1403]

I have a 1996 Jetta Trek with a 4cyl 2.0 liter engine with 127,775 miles. When it is cold, the engine doesn't get any higher than 1,200RPMS. It kinda sputters and spits for a minute and then it will go to about 1,700RPMS. That would be around the normal warm up RPM but it takes a bit to get there. Also, when I am driving, it seems to take time to get out of 3rd gear. Also, if I am going up a hill at 45MPH in 4th gear, it starts to chug. That is too early for chugging. Maybe this all means that it needs a tune-up? I'm getting about 30MPG. Any advice is appreciated.

[nicoleos]

30 MPG??? Thats great! How long has it been since you had your plugs replaced? I had the same problem, and it ended up being just a tune up. Maybe it could be your injectors, you could try a fuel system cleaner. Hopefully that will help.

[zeek1403]

My problem is that I have no clue as to when they were replaced or what has been done. All I know is that the engine is running like crap and something is wrong. Do you know anything about the cold start problem that I mentioned in my first post? Today I went like 1 mile and the temp guage went nuts and my temp warning light started blinking. Turned out to be that I was below min. on my anti-freeze. I went home and then it wouldn't start for like 10 minutes. THAT was MY fault though. LOL.

[boschmann]

You might want to check the catalytic converter, will it eventually rev higher after it warms?

[zeek1403]

Yes, that's exactly what it does. And sometime it smells like half or unburned fuel. How much will this cost and how much longer can I drive it?

[boschmann]

Does it eventually rev higher & have power when it warms? If so then it probably isn't the cat.

[zeek1403]

Once again, when I first start it up, it lingers around 900RPMs and after about 30 secs, it goes to about 1200RPMs. It sometimes does smell like unburned fuel. And no, I don't let it run more than 45 secs or so until I start driving. I don't believe in wasting my gas and getting my engine full of carbon.