VW Touran Diesel: Rough Idle & Power Loss Symptoms Fix

Had very similar symptoms on a Golf TDI. The engine performance issues matched exactly, rough idle, jerking, and that distinctive exhaust smell that comes with intake manifold problems. The diagnosis confirmed a cracked intake manifold with severe scorching around the EGR connection points. This was causing unmetered air to enter the system, throwing off the manifold sensor readings and creating those drivability issues. This turned out to be a serious repair requiring complete manifold replacement along with new gaskets and sensors. The intake manifold failure can potentially damage other components if left unaddressed, especially the EGR system and turbocharger. The repair involved: Complete intake manifold assembly replacement, New manifold gaskets and seals, Air intake sensor replacement, System pressure testing, ECU adaptation reset These symptoms definitely warrant immediate attention. The sooner the intake manifold issue is addressed, the less risk of additional engine damage. Would strongly recommend finding a shop specializing in VW TDI engines for proper diagnosis and repair. Looking at the mileage mentioned, this could potentially be covered under powertrain warranty. Worth checking the warranty terms before proceeding with repairs.

Thanks for sharing your experience. The symptoms match what I am experiencing with my VW, sounds like a textbook engine misfire case with manifold problems. The gasket leak explanation makes perfect sense based on the performance issues. Did you happen to keep track of the total repair costs? Also curious if any other issues have surfaced since getting it fixed? My check engine light keeps coming back on and I want to ensure I address all potential problems at once to avoid multiple shop visits.

Thanks for asking about the follow-up. After getting the intake manifold replaced, my car has been running perfectly for the past 6 months with no check engine lights or performance issues. The defective manifold was causing significant vacuum leaks, but the repair completely resolved the rough running and power loss problems. The total cost came to 1180€ which included: New intake manifold assembly, All required gaskets and seals, Labor for complete removal and installation, Manifold pressure testing, Computer system reset Having proper manifold pressure restored made a huge difference in how the engine runs. The exhaust smell is completely gone and acceleration is smooth again. No other related problems have appeared since the repair. The key was addressing the scorched intake manifold early before it could damage the air intake system or other components. A proper diagnosis and complete repair job the first time meant no return visits were needed. Would definitely recommend getting yours checked soon, as these symptoms rarely resolve on their own.

After getting everyone's input, I finally took my car to a different specialist shop that focuses on VW diesels. They ran a complete diagnostic and confirmed what others here suspected, a failing intake manifold causing the engine misfire and performance issues. The mechanic showed me where the manifold had hairline cracks developing near the EGR ports. This explained the rough idle, stalling and that strong exhaust smell I was getting. The total repair came to 1250€ including a new manifold assembly, gaskets, and computer reset. The engine performance is completely restored now. No more jerking during acceleration or check engine lights. The shop did a great job explaining everything and even showed me the damaged parts they removed. Much better experience than my previous mechanic. Really glad I got this sorted before it could cause more extensive damage. The car runs like new again and the manifold sensor readings are all back to normal. Should have done this weeks ago instead of worrying about where to take it.