2015 Vw Tiguan -Flashing Check Engine Light, P0304 Cyl.4 Misfire 2.0T GDI

The methods used in this video can be applied when diagnosing misfires. Not all engines are the same so the procedures will vary.
In this video we are diagnosing a misfire on a 2015 (not 2013) Volkswagen Tiguan. the check engine light is flashing and the engine has a severe misfire on cylinder 4. A few components have already been replaced, so our direction is based off of that and how this engine sounds when it cranks. I hope you enjoy this video and thanks for watching.

[@PaulyD0859]

I love the technology! I’m old enough to have done this type diagnosis with a vacuum gauge, compression gauge and leak down tester. Not having to hunt through every cylinder on the engine is a real time saver. Plus, you have the scope traces you can print and show to the customer, coupled with an explanation of what’s going on. It makes us look like we know what we’re doing! 😎

[@sandyande]

13.27 = The MONEY SHOT, Brillant diagnoses Tommy cheers sandy

[@Diagnosedan]

That was a great capture! Well done!💪

[@mikem1014]

Dan the man I see you copied my post ... but then i posted after you so i copied your post ... ha ha ... auto techs are talented ... yes we are! HAPPY NEW YEARS !

[@codysautodiagnosticsprogra8706]

Nice capture! Awesome to be able to see the compression out and pulses in the intake.

[@intrapg]

Best diagnosis procedure I ever saw VW repair video.

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Great to see you back buddy! Well done brother 👍

[@33798]

You're diagnosis are perfect and am loving to watch your videos

[@throttletherapy9998]

I had an 05 dodge caravan that came into the shop with a broken valve spring, another shop told them that they needed an engine and they didn't rin any checks on the engine. The van sat for about six months when they brought it to me. I didn't have a scope at that time but I did run a compression check and leak down that's when I found the problem cylinder. This one had a dead cylinder all the time. I bought my pico about 6 months ago and it has been a time save and eliminates guess work! Thanks for showing the video! I will be getting a pressure transducer very soon!

[@davidwhipple3832]

This is a great example where a compression gauge could have messed you up. Even a cylinder leak down test May or may not have shown the problem.

[@kevincampbell8298]

That transducer and a scope are a must in my opinion. Yes expensive but much more reliable diagnosis!!! Great call!

[@mastertech8306]

That last capture was amazing! I've started to use my Pico more and more these. What a powerful. A tech with the knowledge and skills to use it will be unstoppable. Like you! Great job, man!

[@tam1381]

Excellent video,not seen many broken valve springs in my day.

[@calebmohler3082]

This is literally one of the best videos I've ever seen. Good job man

[@dylankinch2735]

This is one of the coolest captures ive seen in a while man. Thanks for showing us

[@HamiltonLandWorksLLC]

Man that was a perfect capture for a demonstration. Doesn't get any better than that. Great job man!!! Great find.

[@tdracing13]

Great work! I really enjoy watching you go through the diagnostic process.

[@nateklein7342]

Tom's like a young Paul Danner, he must be so proud.

[@gregjones8501]

Great capture and find bro! I really understood that the entire way through the video and elimination process ‼️

[@JoesAutoElectric]

That was a fantastic video all around! You had a great teacher huh? The entire approach and thought process here is brilliant brother. Love that last capture where you had and then lost it. All found with non-intrusive testing. Can't say how much I love this one man. Great job! Tell me, is this a common failure on these engines? I don't see enough of the Euros to know.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

I have seen this problem a few times

[@baxrok2.]

Very impressive diagnosis Tom. Wow, right down to the valve. Well done sir!

[@8power0]

PLEASE MAN KEEP YOUR GREAT DIAGNOSTIC VIDEOS COMING REALLY APPRECIATED THANKS AGAIN !

[@herminioguzman4887]

Excellent work. Thanks for sharing. I just had a similar problem in a Pontiac, it took me a lot of work to locate the fault and if I had used the oscilloscope and the tests shown in the video I would have found the root cause of the problem quickly and easily. This video is very valuable to me. Thanks again

[@lesweiner8444]

excellent. The 1st time I saw that problem was on a 1988 buick regal with a 2.8l. the problem was opposite though. missed until engine ran for a few minutes and then clear up until the next cold start. the coil on the spring would lock back in place after heating up. no relative compression or transducer back then....just a big old analog vacuum gage on a Sun engine analyzer caught that one! great work, its good your passing it on like your Sensei.

[@jamesl197999]

Awesome video. Shows why having a scope and a pressure transducer can save viable time.

[@wysetech2000]

Well done as always, Tom. Funny how it had compression until oil pressure in the lifter was enough to hold the valve open.

[@tedjohnson64]

Stellar troubleshooting! Bravo! It’s pretty sad though that VW has these sorts of failures in 100+ year old technology (valve springs). Perhaps I’ve lived a sheltered life, but I’ve never heard of a valve spring breaking on a Toyota motor.

[@train4905]

An absolutely superb, Diagnosis. I really loved ,the testing process. Well done sir. Brilliant test gear. Keep up the superb work. Steve from the uk.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Top notch video, and diag. I'm glad you're back to making videos.

[@SimplyDiagnostics]

Great video showing the value of non-intrusive testing. Thx for sharing 👍

[@liviudaniel5082]

i like your strategy step by step ,that make me call you professional ,and put a big thumb up!

[@andrewk778]

Excellent diagnostic video. Thank you for sharing. And welcome back.

[@PaulysAuto]

This is a sweet diagnosis and use of a pressure transducer! Who the hell would hit the dislike button on this one, some people WTH? ANYWAYS, GREAT job Tommy...thanks for this man!!!

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Thank you! I was wondering the same thing. Lol. I think there are some subscribers that are just here to dislike videos

[@PaulysAuto]

@@PositiveLeadDiagnostics unfortunately some people don't understand how valuable the information that you are putting out really is! I do, so thank you for sharing this Tommy!

[@larryruben5681]

Tom, Great job very nice presentation for diagnosing this issue!!

[@djr3485]

Great diagnosis. The owner was lucky severe damage did not take place. You wouldn’t expect that on a 3 year old car but it seems nowadays all the manufacturers are cutting corners.

[@michaelelison1006]

Great investigation and thought process and may well be the very issue I am experiencing right now on the very same model and year.

[@taylormcgiffin812]

Absolute quality diagnostics mate. Well done. Very helpfull

[@themechanic6117]

Solid diag and easy to follow! Great work 👍

[@simonparkinson1053]

Just done one on a 60s Chevy van with a 350 V8. Don't see many of them in the UK. Found that one by the conventional leakdown method though. Telltale cranking sound and cold exhaust header were my clues in this case. #8 intake valve spring was broken into 3 pieces. Same customer has an old Bentley S3 with what sounds like exactly the same issue, but I will be working on that in a few months' time. Nice to see different ways of approaching the diag, and especially the little quirk where you had compression for a few seconds until oil pressure built up fully in the lifter!

[@francisphillips8192]

Brilliant diagnostic approach

[@darrenflounders2803]

really good diagnosis, scope saves the day again

[@billrimmer5596]

That was a GOOD one! U knocked it outta the park. When u first heard the consistent cranking, and then it went away, u were onto the scent. Quick and wise use of the tools! Reminds me of the Diagnose Dan doorhandle. Although in his vid, there was some blood on the knuckles in his vid. Man, we have some great channels on KZbin!

[@pisanski]

Nice video thank you for taking the time to show us that case study. Keep up the good work

[@fredflintstone8048]

Excellent diagnostic approach.. Thanks for sharing.

[@shaunsautorepairs5410]

Great video...nicely explained...confirmed with little dismantling...pico 1...spanners 0

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice diagnosis Tom & great video! Great to see you back...keep them coming!!

[@guayaco-dm3vu]

Excellent capture and diagnosis Tom..

[@mitchellroberson]

Awesome video. Thanks for trying again so we can see the difference. Very awesome capture.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Yeah I got lucky with that capture

[@grumpysgarage4790]

Glad you’re back. Good Diag, nice waveform.

[@a.a.2677]

Nice diagnostic..good to see you back !

[@codo7]

The scantool lead the way to looking at four, the ear heard the compression issue while cranking, the pico shew where the problem was and the eye found a broken spring. You studied under Paul Danner, if I remember correctly. Good job, good job. I am sure your boss appreciates you doing what you do for him. That is, I hope he knows what you do with the tools... does he ever buy the crew lunch and eat it with them?

[@High_Tech_Mountain]

Great case study! Thanks for sharing! Welcome back! Killer way to start the new year lol. Looking forward to future videos.

[@nelsonnarciso1791]

Very well explained video. Good call on spring diagnosis. Awesome.

[@EXOVCDS]

Great find and great captures! Happy New Year!

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year

[@tcifusion4497]

HAPPY NEW YEAR....GOOD TO SEE U AGAIN..REALLY HOPE TO SEE MORE DIAGNOSIS FROM U........

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year!

[@tcifusion4497]

@@PositiveLeadDiagnostics WISH U ALL THE BEST....

[@Yaaaahaaaaa]

blessings. my friend there's no problem is the inyectors keep opening during the relative compresion test with the coils unplugged? I mean if they dont draw the cylinders. good job man

[@lovetolearn5253]

I love seeing stuff like this. I need a pressure transducer.

[@rrmech11]

Nice to see you back Wolfie Video was bad ass. 👍👍👍

[@ozzstars_cars]

Great job with the diagnosis!

[@laser-sj]

Brilliant disgnostic techniques !

[@alecgreenwood3546]

Absolutely smack on ,great test , really liked that.

[@lucianlucian9911]

Nicely done man, such fine captures you got there in the video. We only hope that you will have enough time in the future to do many more. Cheers!

[@S18BYD]

What a great video! Quick efficient diagnostics !

[@amybarr5054]

What an awesome diagnosis.

[@kellyr9388]

good to see your back..

[@hansvanrengs2642]

Nice job Tom, Very good video and very cleat waveforms.

[@TheMasterHackUS]

Just had this exact same issue on a 2015 tiguan, broken intake spring on #4 causing a misfire.

[@claytonolive5416]

Damn that was such a perfect capture nice 👍

[@NCC1701E]

Welcome back! Thank`s for sharing!

[@Autofixpals]

Thats was a great capture. Well done. What's the repair for this, new head or just a valve spring?

[@jeremieparker5703]

Awesome diag work Tommy where have you been hiding brother... Very nice findings man thank u for sharing

[@CarsExposed]

Great diagnosis cheers 👍

[@ccruz9591]

Thanks you.. I got the exact problem with my gti!!! New injector.new coil. New plug. Dead cylinder.i will shoot straight to valve spring!!!

[@jusb1066]

always do a compression test for a misfire BEFORE replacing parts dude

[@TheMopar59]

Cool diag : ) Hope to see a lot more vids from you this year.

[@mikem1014]

Dude that's a great capture Great video ... Nice Job

[@zw3245]

Très bonne vidéo avec de belle capture a l'oscilloscope ! j'ai quand même 2 remarques : - Pour le test sous démarreur j'aurais coupé l'alimentation en carburant en débranchant les injecteurs ou le relais de pompe plutôt que de coupé d'allumage, pour éviter d'abimer le catalyseur. - Pour la mesure de pression pourquoi ne pas avoir utiliser la sortie du capteur de pression déjà présent sur l'admission ?

[@jgeorges3061]

AWESOME TOMMY, HAPPY NEW YEAR HOPE TO SEE MORE AND TALK ABOUT UR VOLT AND TIME SCALES IN UR PICOSCOPE SO WE COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SCOPE THANK YOU AND CHEEEEEERS.

[@exmotorsports]

It's been awhile Wolfe'Man..Happy New Years to you. It's good to see another diag from you. Great job on that too. Question: What psi transducer did you end up using on that? That was a nice clean waveform for sure. Cheers Bro

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year. That’s the wps500

[@keithdrofmotors3802]

Tommy thank you for this great video. I know it take a lot of your time. Happy New Year.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year!

[@robertwhitworth7346]

Great Vid, quick question how would check exhaust valves pressure? Pressure Transducer? If so in through o2 bung? Have to block end of exhaust?

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Robert Whitworth yeah remove the o2 thread in the transducer and do the same test

[@carlbrandon8040]

great work !!!!!! I heard the even cranking also.

[@leomcadams1751]

What would it generally cost to have the valve spring replaced at a shop? I’m having the same misfires even after replacing all the coils and spark plugs.

[@Mako-sz4qr]

Yup great capture. Your awesome dude ! Great job as always. Thx for sharing.

[@FeliX-wg7sq]

Master Diagnostic 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@mfsperring]

Very cool. I fricken love this sort of stuff. Thanks.

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Tommy. Good job. Have a blessed and safe New Year to you and your family.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year

[@duanedonaldson2262]

I have noticed that although different engines dont have the exact same waveform, they do share the same type of strategy, in this case, the exhaust cam leads the intake and the VVT type system operates about the same number of degrees. As for your friend, why didnt he inspect the gears for some type of markings like part numbers OR align the timing marks up and see that the windows are not the same OR he did do it too late to figure it out, could have called the parts department to figure out the different numbers, that is too sad but without the mistake, we would not have gotten 2 known good waveforms so it was all for a good reason, THANKS, friend.

[@jwilkers1]

Excellent video very cool diagnosis 👍

[@chrismechanic2000]

great vid and great use of the pico scope, you got a like from me...

[@tinkerwest]

Nice video...Would've like to see a bore-scope used to look at valve/piston for any possible interference damage despite its unlikely existence given the compression comes and goes..

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Love watching your videos, thank you!!!

[@simonrawle7885]

thats well cool first time ive seen blow by one with a scope

[@smartchishaya1670]

well done from zimbabwe

[@mikecont9742]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time.

[@Pablo_Automotive]

Really great diagnostic Tom, thanks for share and happy new year :)

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Nice work Tom. Thanks!

[@JoelAutomotiveInaction]

very nice diagnosis, Tom thanks for sharing it .lear some things, I was wondering if you have any video how to remove the valve cover gaskets, as book time is low , I have not done any of this yet , I see little complicated, Because of special tools to hold cam , would you show the process if you get a chance thank you and happy new year

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Happy new year. Unfortunately the valve cover holds the cams down so I order to remove that it involves taking the timing chain off

[@davidpalacios9076]

Is this a common issue because I also got this on my 2015 vw Jetta and the went out on me in the highway only #4 misfiring seems to be compression it does show misfire on 2 and 4 thou but mostly 4... how much does that typically cost at a shop now vw dealer?

[@Russell_Duncan]

You don’t just make videos for the sake of it Tommy! This one was just too good not to share and we appreciate you taking the time to do that. Very unusual fault and nicely opportune that the breather (which is all too often being removed for a different reason 🙄) gave you access this time. Do you think the hydraulic tappet (lifter) was jacking up when the oil pressure increased and there was not enough spring pressure to win the fight against the tappet? Was this one a manual transmission btw? Wondered if the driver could have ‘buzzed’ the engine by changing down too soon? Thanks for sharing. Russell.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

I honestly think it was just a bad spring that had a weak spot

[@sergesimonov1767]

Hello! I make a short hose from the inlet to the sensor, less than the error of air oscillations. I use a piezo sensor, without amplification, there is no signal inertia.

[@cesarm9801]

Great video and captures. Very informative.