My partner and I just bought a 1996 Volkswagen Vento (left-side driving Jetta) from a car auction in New Zealand. We tried to take it on the first road trip today and had to turn back after almost stalling. It has always idled rough and been a little sputtery, but as soon as we tried to get it up to 100 km on the motorway, it really started to lose power on us. When I pulled over, it also smelled funny, like burnt matches. Neither of us really know anything about cars, but my guess is something with the fuel system? I should also mention that it did the lurching, sputtering for us the first time the gas tank got below 1/4 tank. Please help us!
Sputtering and lurching. etc are sure signs of a fuel system fault.
You may have a weak fuel pump, the pick-up tube from the pump may be sucking up dirt or perhaps water from the bottom of the tank.
The 1/4 tankful of gas will allow a fair bit of sloshing around and MAY be stirring up the foreign material.
Make sure the engine air intake is clean as well.
Well, it turned out to be just an old fuel filter and a need for some new spark plugs. Nothing big, luckily. Thanks.
The smell to me indicates a clogged catalytic converter causing a restriction in your exhaust which would produce just such symptoms. Do you have catalytic converters in NZ? If it happens again check that. Just FYI!
Even if it was just the fuel problem , it could have damaged you catalytic converter, so be mindful of that.