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[Solved] Golf 4 1.6sr floods 3gar - it comes in 3 pots, floods candles, ditches

thepantis 12516 16
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Why does my Golf 4 1.6 SR start running on 3 cylinders after about 1 km, flood the spark plug on cylinder 2, and burn around 17–18 L/100 km even though it still has spark and normal compression?

The cylinder 2 plug is being oil-fouled, so the spark that looks fine in air becomes too weak or disappears inside the engine; in practice this points to ignition under load, a flooded plug, or an engine-mechanical oil leak rather than fuel injectors alone [#17400967] [#17430013] Check the ignition coil and cables by swapping the 2nd and 3rd outputs/cables to see whether the fault follows the lead, because this engine uses a double ignition coil [#17392221] [#17400967] Since compression was roughly 11.7–12.3, the thread leans away from compression loss and toward oil getting into that cylinder, with the head needing to come off for inspection of valve guides/seals and, if necessary, the rings [#17393686] [#17430576] One reply also noted that if gasoline was found in the oil, the engine itself should be suspected and the unused cylinder can contaminate the oil by itself [#17430614] The final fix reported was rings plus cylinder honing and head repair; after that the fouled plugs with oil carbon deposit and no spark were resolved [#18507410]
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  • #1 17392195
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
    Rate: 6
    Hello
    After firing for 1km the car goes well, then it starts walking like a tractor for 3gars, burning around 17-18
    Injection exchanged for regenerated, we thought that it was because it burns 18 liters and smelled of fuel, candles are flooded on the 2nd cylinder,
    I don't know what to do here, candles give a spark.
    Do you have any ideas?
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  • #2 17392213
    pawelbck
    Level 10  
    Posts: 105
    Rate: 17
    What about ignition cables? maybe there is some short circuit after warming up?
  • #3 17392221
    robokop
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
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    Replace the coil.
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  • #4 17393201
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
    Rate: 6
    coil, cables. candles mentioned is still a problem.
  • #5 17393368
    robokop
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
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    Measuring compression pressure?
  • #6 17393686
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
    Rate: 6
    1 Cylinder: 12.3
    Cylinder 2: 11.7
    Cylinder 3: 11.9
    4 Cylinder: 12.3

    There are no spark errors in vagu, after unplugging the injection plug the engine operation does not change.
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  • #7 17399111
    Ttomek
    Level 14  
    Posts: 59
    Help: 6
    Rate: 55
    Hi, compression after oil test?
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  • #8 17399125
    robokop
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
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    thepantis wrote:
    after unplugging the injection plug, the engine operation does not change
    What are you raving about? Why should it change if the cylinder is not working? Since the compression is correct, there are no miracles - ignition system failure.
  • Helpful post
    #9 17400967
    marszałekkom
    Level 31  
    Posts: 1614
    Help: 212
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    Quote:
    What are you raving about?

    What are these nerves for?

    Candles give a spark but in the air, inside the cylinder may be too weak or not at all. You have a double ignition coil and the spark jumps simultaneously in cylinder 2 and 3. Since cylinder 3 works, it means that the circuit closes and the spark from cylinder 2 flows somewhere other than the spark plug. Try swapping the ignition cable plugs 2 of 3 and see which one will not work then.
  • #10 17400998
    janusz ford 1976
    Level 10  
    Posts: 19
    Help: 1
    Rate: 11
    And change the injection places - maybe the injection is pouring?
  • #11 17429429
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
    Rate: 6
    Hello again, after checking everything, I noticed that the previous owner added gasoline to the oil and there was no carbon deposits on the candle, after replacing "Oil" for normal and changing candles, he walked normally again, after a few days the problem appeared again, I unscrewed the candles and on the 2nd cylinder as if someone in the mud drowned with debris (previously gasoline cleaned it in a sense) ...., after cleaning and putting on the car, it traveled 2-3 km and the candle was in a similar condition again. I will add that the engine on the first start after oil change, etc. buried as if diesel not fired 20 years ^^ and question what could it be ??? Because some say rings, while others that only some "Erasers" on the valves, I'm waiting for help.
    Best regards.

    Added after 8 [minutes]:

    Golf 4 1.6sr floods 3gar - it comes in 3 pots, floods candles, ditches picture from the internet, the candle is like this one in the middle but I have 3 electrodes.
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    #12 17430013
    robokop
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl  
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    Candle evidently thrown away - flooded with oil.
  • #13 17430565
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
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    What do you think, valves or rings?
  • Helpful post
    #14 17430576
    grala1
    VAG group specialist  
    Posts: 9812
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    thepantis wrote:
    What do you think, valves or rings?


    What does that matter?
    And so you have to drop your heads, so you have more work hours and the pistons on top.
    Do not count on replacing the sealants on the guides and it will be good.
    As I know life, the valves fly loosely in the guides and the replacement of sealants will not do anything.
    The head to drop and to check the guides and valve seats or looking for another engine but it's hard to hit what oil does not take.
  • #15 17430599
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
    Rate: 6
    How much fun would it be if it were rings and how many valves ??
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    #16 17430614
    kortyleski
    Level 43  
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    thepantis wrote:
    I noticed that the previous owner added gasoline to oil

    If that's true then search engine. But rather gasoline was added by itself through the inactive pot.
  • #17 18507410
    thepantis
    Level 8  
    Posts: 40
    Rate: 6
    Rings, cylinder honing + head repair, burned candles with oil carbon deposit and had no spark.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a Golf 4 1.6SR experiencing performance issues after approximately 1 km of driving, characterized by excessive fuel consumption (17-18 liters) and flooding of the spark plugs, particularly in the second cylinder. Various troubleshooting suggestions include checking ignition cables for short circuits, replacing the ignition coil, measuring compression pressure, and swapping ignition cable plugs. The user later discovers that the previous owner had mixed gasoline with oil, leading to carbon buildup on the spark plugs. After replacing the oil and spark plugs, the car initially runs well but the problem recurs. The conversation shifts towards diagnosing potential issues with the engine's rings or valve seals, with suggestions to inspect the cylinder head and guides for further evaluation.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 11.7–12.3 bar compression was logged; “after unplugging the injection plug the engine operation does not change.” For Golf 4 1.6 SR owners with a 3‑cylinder misfire, check ignition first, then oil‑fouled plugs, rings, and valves. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #17393686]

Why it matters: Catching a dead cylinder early prevents costly escalation from fouled plugs to ring and head repairs.

Quick Facts

What are the likely causes of a 3‑cylinder misfire on a Golf 4 1.6 SR?

Start with ignition. When compression looks even, the coil pack is a prime suspect. One expert said, “Replace the coil.” Test with a known‑good coil before chasing fuel or mechanical causes. Inspect leads and plugs during the same session. [Elektroda, robokop, post #17392221]

I unplugged the injector on the bad cylinder and nothing changed. Is that normal?

Yes. If a cylinder is already non‑contributing, removing its fuel won’t alter engine behavior. As noted: “Why should it change if the cylinder is not working?” Use this to confirm a dead pot, then test spark, fuel, and compression systematically. [Elektroda, robokop, post #17399125]

Are 11.7–12.3 bar compression readings acceptable in this case?

Those were the reported values across all four cylinders in the thread. The even spread suggests nothing singled out mechanically during that test. The fault source was elsewhere in the chain for that vehicle. Compare cylinders first, then proceed. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #17393686]

How can I tell if worn rings or valve seals/guides are causing oil on the plug?

Run a dry compression test, then add a teaspoon of oil and repeat (wet test). A large rise indicates worn rings. Little or no change points at valves or valve seals/guides. This helps decide head work versus bottom‑end work. [Haynes, 2021]

I see spark outside, yet the cylinder still misfires under load—why?

A spark that jumps in air can fail under cylinder pressure. “Candles give a spark but in the air, inside the cylinder may be too weak or not at all.” Cylinders 2 and 3 also fire together, complicating tracing. [Elektroda, marszałekkom, post #17400967]

How do I isolate an ignition issue between cylinders 2 and 3?

Use this quick How‑To:
  1. Identify which cylinder is not contributing at idle.
  2. Swap the ignition cable plugs for cylinders 2 and 3 on the coil.
  3. If the misfire moves, the fault is in the swapped path (lead/plug/connection). [Elektroda, marszałekkom, post #17400967]

Could a leaking injector be the cause, and how do I check it?

Yes. Swap the suspect injector with one from a good cylinder. If the misfire follows the injector, it’s likely leaking or stuck. If not, refocus on ignition or mechanical causes. “Change the injection places – maybe the injection is pouring?” [Elektroda, janusz ford 1976, post #17400998]

VAG/VCDS shows no spark or misfire errors. Can a cylinder still be dead?

Yes. The OP reported no VAG errors, yet unplugging injector 2 did not change operation. Use scan data plus simple isolation tests to confirm a dead cylinder before deeper teardown. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #17393686]

Why did fuel consumption jump to ~17–18 l/100 km during the fault?

A dead cylinder wastes injected fuel because it does not burn it. In the case reported, consumption rose to about 17–18 l/100 km with a strong fuel smell. Restore combustion on all cylinders to normalize economy. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #17392195]

What does gasoline mixed with engine oil indicate in this scenario?

The OP found fuel in the oil and a temporarily clean plug. Soon after, cylinder 2’s plug re‑fouled like “mud,” returning within 2–3 km after cleaning. Treat fuel‑diluted oil as a red flag and investigate root mechanical causes. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #17429429]

What ultimately solved the 3‑cylinder issue in the thread?

Mechanical repair: new piston rings, cylinder honing, and cylinder head work. Oil‑carbon‑fouled plugs had no spark until the root cause was fixed. After repair, the engine ran correctly. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #18507410]

Is replacing only valve stem seals likely to fix oil fouling here?

Unlikely. “Do not count on replacing the sealants on the guides and it will be good.” The advice was to remove the head, measure guides, and rework seats, or consider another engine if wear is severe. [Elektroda, grala1, post #17430576]

Can an oil‑fouled plug really cause “no spark” under compression?

Yes. The final update confirms oil‑carbon‑fouled plugs produced no spark and killed the cylinder. Replace fouled plugs only after fixing the cause, or the misfire returns quickly. [Elektroda, thepantis, post #18507410]
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