2.0 tdi 170 Starting Problems

[weeroughy]

Right i have a 56 plate a3 2.0 tdi 170 which i have had for about 4 months now.

I hadn't originally noticed when i bought the car but it seems very apparent now that it struggles to start when it has been sitting for about 8+ hours.

I have been on the phone to the company i bought the car from (200 miles away) and they have agreed for me to take the car in Edinburgh Audi to be checked out, and they will cover the costs under the warranty.

My Question is, Is this a common problem? I remember reading before i bought the car this can sometimes be related to the injector recall, but the dealer assured me this recall work had been done. I also read that there had seemed to be wild goose chases swapping several things and still not solving the problem.

Any advice I can arm myself with before the car goes into Edinburgh Audi on Monday? I will have a courtesy car, but would rather the car wasn't with them for any longer than need be!

Thanks!

 

[weeroughy]

Anything guys? Car goes into Audi tomorrow!

 

[SCFC_Messiah]

Mine really struggled to start. My battery died a few weeks ago and since replacing the car is much better at starting from cold now. It's still a bit rough sounding sometimes, but to be honest I just presumed it was a quirk of the car. I've read of others with the same problem

 

[weeroughy]

Thanks, i'll bear that in mind!

I imagine there will always be a certain roughness to starting a big diesel engine, certainly compared to my previous small engined petrols. But the worst so far is the car being sat for around 36 hours, and cranking for about 7-8 seconds before it would actually fire up, and sounded like a bag of nails when it did!

 

[dan1973]

I had the same problem with my sline which was the same spec year etc. had the injector recall done and all was well.

 

[weeroughy]

I had the same problem with my sline which was the same spec year etc. had the injector recall done and all was well.

I was assured the injectors had been replaced as part of the recall, but i plan to mention this as there is no receipt or invoice to verify.

I also believe there was a software update which affected cold starting among other things which should have been done? Could be wrong though.

 

[chris.vincent3]

How long does it take for the glow plugs to warm up?

 

[weeroughy]

How long does it take for the glow plugs to warm up?

Glow plug light normally goes off within a couple seconds, stays on longer when its cold or the car has been sitting for a while.

 

[Brodster]

Just be wary that even if its had an injector recall the car may still be difficult to start when cold as the injectors are adjustable and sometimes the dealers are not doing this. On numerous ocassions setting up the injectors the correct way via a DTI has stopped the cold start problem and lumpy running.

 

[SWILKO]

Had new injectors fitted and the upgraded Varta battery BUT I am convinced that this engine has an issue cold starting. One theory discussed before was that fuel was draining back through the system and the injectors were not preloaded with fuel and ready to go. Im not a mechanic but I also run a VW Golf PD 150, car is 11 years old and still starts better thsn my 57 Audi, and the Golf still has its original battery.

Personally Ive got used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore...

S

 

[weeroughy]

Just be wary that even if its had an injector recall the car may still be difficult to start when cold as the injectors are adjustable and sometimes the dealers are not doing this. On numerous ocassions setting up the injectors the correct way via a DTI has stopped the cold start problem and lumpy running.

Very good to know, I shall mention that tomorrow! Thanks!

Had new injectors fitted and the upgraded Varta battery BUT I am convinced that this engine has an issue cold starting. One theory discussed before was that fuel was draining back through the system and the injectors were not preloaded with fuel and ready to go. Im not a mechanic but I also run a VW Golf PD 150, car is 11 years old and still starts better thsn my 57 Audi, and the Golf still has its original battery.

Personally Ive got used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore...

S

Yeah if it turns out its 'normal' then i suppose i shall have to learn to live with it as well. I'd just much rather there was some investigation just now while it will still be done under warranty, and hopefully the problem solved!

If not, I think i'll ask for something in writing from the dealer i bought the car from that the problem should still be their responsibility to fix, to have a reassurance should a bigger problem crawl out the woodwork after my warranty has run out.

 

[chinnyhill10]

Had new injectors fitted and the upgraded Varta battery BUT I am convinced that this engine has an issue cold starting. One theory discussed before was that fuel was draining back through the system and the injectors were not preloaded with fuel and ready to go.

I had this and required a new fuel pump. Apparently it has some kind of no return valve in it that failed.

However when this happens you'll know about it as the car will be a complete pain to start. Will take 3 or 4 attempts and white smoke + lumpy running for the first 10 seconds or so.

To test for this, park the car nose up overnight. You'll need a decent gradient.

Car still plays up occasionally but always fires on a second attempt so I suspect I could probably do with new glow plugs or a battery.

 

[chinnyhill10]

Glow plug light normally goes off within a couple seconds, stays on longer when its cold or the car has been sitting for a while.

The glow plugs actually stay on for longer than the dash indicates. My old Golf 140 was running badly from cold and it turned out 2 plugs had gone. Started just fine, but was horrid for the first couple of minutes. Garage said it was because the fuel wasn't being heated and that the glow plugs stayed on for as long as it was under temp.

 

[weeroughy]

So picked up the car this morning. Still has the same problem...

I have been told the fuel system was dirty, has been cleaned and a new fuel filter fitted. One less thing to worry about for the time being I suppose... (Although leads me to question the 'service and health check' the Dealer i bought the car from had done...)

I asked to speak to the technician and had him accompany me to the car, as it had been sitting over night and I had a feeling it would do the exact same thing, although i understand he hadn't witnessed the fault as the car hadn't been sat for a while since I dropped it off.
So i jump in, turn the key, and does exactly the same thing, cranks for around 4-5 seconds, and the fires up, to which he agreed sounded pretty horrible.

He said this would then lead him to believe the battery is on its way out, but he couldn't do anything at the moment as their warranty procedure requires an in depth investigation before allowing a replacement, and it would have to be confirmed that the fuel filter hadn't solved the problem. At this point i thought to myself, I can buy myself a new battery at trade price through my work, is it worth it just to save the hassle of having it in Audi for days at a time?

So I will continue on with how it is just now, monitor closely, and report back to Audi ( and the dealer i bought from) and see how things go.

I had this and required a new fuel pump. Apparently it has some kind of no return valve in it that failed.

However when this happens you'll know about it as the car will be a complete pain to start. Will take 3 or 4 attempts and white smoke + lumpy running for the first 10 seconds or so.

He had mentioned on the phone yesterday that it could possibly be the fuel pump, but their warranty procedures require one thing at a time, not everything that could cause the problem, which is understandable. Although my symptoms seem not as severe as you describe.

 

[Brodster]

If it was me I would slave in another battery just for piece of mind and see if it works and then whip it out and put the old one back in when it goes to the garage and see if they can determine what the problem is......unbeknown to them you already have the solution. You'll get another battery out of it IF they nail the problem to the battery.

 

[c_w]

Sub 6 degrees both my PD 170s can be noticeable rough/slower starting from cold after being overnight. Sometimes fails to catch and stalls and needs restart. 10 degrees+ absolutely no issue at all.

 

[weeroughy]

If it was me I would slave in another battery just for piece of mind and see if it works and then whip it out and put the old one back in when it goes to the garage and see if they can determine what the problem is......unbeknown to them you already have the solution. You'll get another battery out of it IF they nail the problem to the battery.

After having an incident with Audi washing my car (Three guesses, and needless to say they won't be washing it again) and a conversation with the service manager, they have ensured they will fix the problem when it can next be booked in at my convenience, as well as some extras for my inconvenience today. So my quest for a solution now lies with them.
EDIT: Annoying thing is, I ALMOST told them not to bother washing the car! Wish i had!

Sub 6 degrees both my PD 170s can be noticeable rough/slower starting from cold after being overnight. Sometimes fails to catch and stalls and needs restart. 10 degrees+ absolutely no issue at all.

Unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of starting my car in any more than 10 degrees! Actually think there has only been a handful of times the snowflake HASN'T been on since i got the car in november!

 

[weeroughy]

So a new starter motor fitting this morning courtesy of Edinburgh Audi. It seems to have made a great improvement to starting in general, but i shall report back once i've had a few proper cold starts!

 

[the obese penguin]

I have this problem with mine..

Spoke to technician at my local audi and he said its more than likely the vacuum fuel pump on the side of the cylinder head... He said to check the fuel filter if its black then it even more likely its this as the seals go and seeps oil through..

 

[weeroughy]

I have this problem with mine..

Spoke to technician at my local audi and he said its more than likely the vacuum fuel pump on the side of the cylinder head... He said to check the fuel filter if its black then it even more likely its this as the seals go and seeps oil through..

Fuel filter was replaced a couple weeks ago, and was filthy according to the technician! So if the problem is still there i shall pass this on! Thanks!