A3 1.6 tdi Struggling to start

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Sha170

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Hi, Ive got a 2010 Audi A3 1.6 TDI which is struggling to start up.

When I turn the key and let go, it continues to trying to start itself and then eventually gives up.
Out of the many goes it may start once, when it is started it runs perfectly.

It definitely isn't a dead battery, what could the problem be?
 
Maybe the glow plugs mate .... Just whip them out and have a look .
There only a tenner a pop .
Best to start with the basics
 
Iceman567 said:
Maybe the glow plugs mate .... Just whip them out and have a look .
There only a tenner a pop .
Best to start with the basics
Click to expand...
Is it possible to tell they need changing by looking them?
How difficult is it removing them?

A little update on this:
When the car is started and warm it runs fine, I can turn it off and it comes back on straight away.

However when the car is cold it struggles to start, when it does it throws out a lot of white smoke.

Had it started amd after a little while the glow plug indicator started flashing. Does this sound like the glow plugs need replacing?
 
Yes sounds like glow plugs. If you get it scanned with VCDS then it should give u the fault code which you can look up
 
Glow plugs don't activate until its really cold, I think below 3deg or there abouts.

As @Sayam says, get it scanned with VCDS before going pulling and replacing parts.
 
It won't hurt to have a look at the plugs though it takes 5 mins , cheaper then getting it scanned if you don't have the systems .
You should be able to tell just like spark plugs
 
Darren92 said:
Glow plugs don't activate until its really cold, I think below 3deg or there abouts.

As @Sayam says, get it scanned with VCDS before going pulling and replacing parts.
Click to expand...

Forgive me if I am wrong I thought they were used on every startup of a Diesel engine regardless of ambient temp?
 
Nope, only in cold(er) temperatures on VAG engines at least.
 
The glow plug light only came on once and was flashing, after switch of it hasn't come back on again.
I have had it scanned previously and no fault codes came up.

So what your saying is, it wont be glow plugs as its not 3 degrees or less?
They symptoms from when it starts up and takes ages to start does sound like glow plugs.
However once started it lets off alot off white smoke.

Have noticed a few times when the car is struggling to start it throws up a message saying "Oil pressure is too low"
Not sure what that means?
 
I also noticed this pipe had been cut.
It is at the front of the engine, runs under the coolant tank towards the radiator.
Not sure what it is for or if it is causing the start up problem.
 

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Ha lol then that might be your problem fix it and find out ... Not sure wether air or air con ... But I'm my defence I have another audi ;)
 
Oil pressure might mean your low on oil mate.
Saying that have a look at your header tank see if it is a little bit like Mayo then you may have a dodgey head gasket . Low oil White smoke ... Your engine oil may be mixing with your coolant .
So check your dipstick for a white black substance ... If not check your coolant tank for a mayonnaise looking substance ... On the cap and inside ... Google it and you will be able to compare . But I hope it is just your air intake mate because that's the cheapest ;)
 
Iceman567 said:
Oil pressure might mean your low on oil mate.
Saying that have a look at your header tank see if it is a little bit like Mayo then you may have a dodgey head gasket . Low oil White smoke ... Your engine oil may be mixing with your coolant .
So check your dipstick for a white black substance ... If not check your coolant tank for a mayonnaise looking substance ... On the cap and inside ... Google it and you will be able to compare . But I hope it is just your air intake mate because that's the cheapest ;)
Click to expand...

Appreciate the replies mate thanks.

Its definitely not oil pressure, just done an oil change and there's no white/black substance at all.

I think I can rule out glowplugs, car starts up in the cold but if I rev it it shakes and turns off. On second start up it takes a little longer but it starts and I can rev it fine. There is alot of white smoke on start up.
When its on it seems as if it is missing for a little bit rev needle bounces and the engine sound changes. After a little while it is perfect.

After about a 10 minute drive the glow plugs light starts flashing.
I know I need to get it scanned, but with it being new year/xmas garage is closed.

Any idea as to what the glowplug light means?
 
Probs just a air pipes buddy like you found ... I hope it is any way :audibash:
 
Iv borrowed vcds of a mate and scanned my car.
The only error the engine has shown is "Unknown Error Code" 4 Times however nothing relating to the difficulty of starting up.

The car will start up first time may idle roughly with the needle bouncing for a little while.
Once started and even when it is struggling to start, it throws out alot of white smoke.
Once warmed up it runs perfectly.


If I switch the car off while its still cold, or let it cool down more than approx half hour it will not start up again it will keep trying when I turn the ignition but it will not fire up.
I have to leave it more than an hour before attempting again and only then will it start.

Once its been driven for 5 miles, the glow plug light starts flashing but when switched off the light goes off and doesn't reappear on restart.
It hasn't shown this as an error in vcds.

Should I leave the car on and plug in vcds when the light is flashing?
Is there anything I could watch in VCDS when it is attempting to start up? e.g the graph function.
 
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