Engine Sputter?
 

Greetings all. I've had my '04 Passat GLX for a year and 4 months now. This past summer, I'd noticed that at an idle, whether in drive (waiting at a light for instance) or park, it would lightly "kick", like the motor was sputtering. It's intermittent, the frequency varies (a few times in a row vs just one time with a longer time between the next instance) and doesn't happen while driving. Not sure if this has anything to do with it, but if it's happening, when I accelerate, it chugs once or twice before moving. I took it to a dealership. The tech felt the kick, but didn't have a response given no codes tripped and that it wasn't "noticeable" enough, citing normal operation. I think otherwise, seeing as it didn't do it the year beforehand. Any suggestions or anyone experience the same thing? Thanks much for the help.

RE: Engine Sputter?
 

Can't be sure, but it sounds like dirty injectors, most of the time
they have to be removed and cleaned or replaced, However
with a little luck and close the left eye while smileing and standing
on the right foot, you might try some STP injector cleaner, start
with a full tank of gas and about 2 bottles of injector cleaner, then
after a refill go with 1 bottle of injector cleaner.
THAT IS IF IT'S GAS AND NOT DIESEL.

RE: Engine Sputter?
 

Thanks for the reply. I stumped the techs also. He said that if it was an issue, it would have tripped a code. No codes have come up. I was always curious of fuel stabilizers and injector cleaners..whether they really work and if they're safe for your vehicle. I just got some gas (not a FULL tank but pretty much there). I'll pick up a couple bottles. Is this something that would clean right away or would require buying a few bottles over the nearfuture?
And yes, it's a gas engine. Thanks again...