my 1996 passat + water = problem

[96ssat]

My 1996vr6 has developed a major problem when it rains:

During/ after a rain my car seems to "get water in it" and causes engine problems. The car will start to buck a bit like it has bad gas or 02 problems and produces a throatier sound, like water in the muffler or something else. The engine light starts to blink (already on because my 02 sensor is on the way out) but will then stop. If I let the car sit or idle this problem will go away, I assume after whatever water that is affecting it evaporates.

It has only happened a few times, and it usually only happens while driving...heavy rain, but the other day it occurred when I started it after a prolonged rain storm.

Any ideas? I'm sure it is not good and want to get it fixed ASAP

O2?

[boschmann]

Ignition coils are a problem on the VR6 too.