Car People, especially manual/volkswagen experience

[j_h_smith]

This is my second Volkswagen Jetta, but this one is a manual turbo. I always knew what would go wrong or what it sounded like when things went wrong, but I think something is wrong with the manual/gears. I have a mechanic that I really like because he loves Volkswagens and he always treats me right. His shop is about an hour from me so I don't want to drive all the way up there to have him look at my car, drive back, and then save up money. I have a feeling this is going to be a hefty bill

Ok, so this is what's going on. When I'm in 3rd gear and around 20-30 rpms and push the gas peddle somewhat hard my car stutters. It continues to do it in 4th and 5th gear at 20-30 rpms. If I drive it really hard it doesn't stutter, but that means I'm cruising around 45-50 rpms before changing gears. Redlining is at 65. If I drive it like a granny and nicely push the gas peddle it doesn't stutter in any of the gears.

I change the oil myself, because it needs full synthetic and it costs $75 at a shop and $22 for me to do it myself-I always keep up with this. I haven't had any major fixes. The most expensive fix I had was my timing belt, because the car is so darn small it takes 6-7 hours just to change the belt. Other than that it's been regular cosmetics that needed fixed/replaced.

Oh I should maybe add that an old man hit me this summer and my radiator and ac had to be replaced. I'm not sure it that matters. The shop the insurance company made me take it to said the engine wasn't touched. The stuttering didn't happen for several months after the accident, so it's probably not related.

Any idea what would cause the stuttering?

I'm sending you a PM now. It will be long so give me some time to type it.

Jim Smith