Car runs rough then rides normally after I drive for a while.

Tiny
MSMCCORKLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
  • 138,000 MILES
When I first start my car in the morning, I have a rough idle and a rough ride for a while and then the car lugs for a minute and then drives normal. There seems to be a rattling sound coming from near the Catalytic Converter or the exhaust tip. There is no funky sounds coming from the engine. I know that cleaning the Mass Airflow Sensor, replacing the air filter, checking the fuel pump and checking the catalytic converter are some options but doing all of them takes some time. Is there an easy diagnosis for this problem?
Thursday, September 1st, 2011 AT 12:56 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the exhaust for excessive backpressure -catalytic converter could be clogged-up
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Thursday, September 1st, 2011 AT 1:23 AM
Tiny
MSMCCORKLE
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
How do I test the exhaust for excessive backpressure? And if that is the cause of the problem, would that give me my power back and help stop the roughness of the ride and idle?
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Thursday, September 1st, 2011 AT 1:32 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Remove the oxygen sensor and hook on a pressure gauge or have an emssion station check it with a 5 gas analyzer
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Thursday, September 1st, 2011 AT 3:34 PM

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