2003 plate 1.4 16v 100BHP saloon, BBZ engine with 50,000 on the clock, which over the last three years has developed an engine stutter. Engine runs sweet in all other respects. This can occur at any time but usually when the engine is in 4th gear at or near 2000 RPM on a slight incline. Basically, there is a sudden power loss, which can be sufficiently severe and sudden to throw me foward in the seat (despite being belted), Tacho needle dives to zero and then engine recovers within 1-2 seconds without further incident.

Cleaning of the EGR valve at the last service (Feb '10) seemed to remove the problem for a while, but it soon returned, though less severe than originally. Service engineers say I may need a new EGR valve this time round. Do you think that this is correct. The severity of the original stutter made me think that the car was silently backfiring or that there had been metal to metal contact inside the engine. That said I have toyed with various theories including, sticky valves, faulty ECU, bad electrical joint, radio frequency interference from passing mini-cabs/public service vehicles blitzing the ECUs working values. prompting a reset etc. Any ideas ? Nothing appears to show on VAG COM diagnosis.

Also, the engine started consuming oil from 30,000 miles onwards. Now its at the manufacturers limit of 1 litre per 600 miles - but no warning lights are showing on the instrument binacle and no smoke from the exhaust. Are they prone to crankcase leaks ?

Car does seem to have lost some power on hills, suggesting worn cylinders/ rings/valves, but otherwise acceleration still good on flat.

I'm currently topping up in between services with Castrol Magnatec 10W -40 with complies with VW standard 501.01 / 505 in-line with the handbook.

Nick