Audi A3 2.0 Tdi Bkd Cold Starting Issue (please Help)

[johal87]

Hi guys,

Ive had this issue now for several months, and have tried the searches, read all sorts of threads, and tried many parts, and I still have yet to resolve it.

When leaving over night, it struggles to start, car shakes, sometimes catches sometimes doesn't, and twice in severel months, its cut out down the road while driving, possibly when dropping or going up a gear, and is a real nightmare to start, will not start without easy start and jump cables as it kills the battery cranking. Also once its been started for around 30 seconds, its fine all day.

2006/55 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S line DSG (BKD Engine)

Its had its injectors seals done, fuel pump, low lift pump, I've just changed the fuel pump again yesterday. it looks to have had a new starter motor before i had it, but i ruled out the starter and battery as the lights are not flickering, doesn't seem like theres a lack of power, and with jump cables on, it still starts the same.

VCDS shows no faults.

Service History is full, DSG services have been done on time, maintenance wise its been cared for like a baby...

But this is seriously getting to me now, especially with winter ahead

Video Below

 

[NHN]

Coolant senders, as there are 2.

Test a starter anyway to rule out.

 

[johal87]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171011609455?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Ive purchased this one, which is the other one I need? and where is it located?

Is there a way of testing the starter motor, or do i need to get one?

Thank you NHN

 

[NHN]

For that price I'd buy 2, same afaik.

Well I know when I changed starters before the difference on new was dramatic, but you just need to rule out simple things 1st.

Timing is another biggy, if this is of then it wont start well or at all.

 

[johal87]

For that price I'd buy 2, same afaik.

Well I know when I changed starters before the difference on new was dramatic, but you just need to rule out simple things 1st.

Timing is another biggy, if this is of then it wont start well or at all.

Could you tell me the locations of sensors please?

Will try the sensors and then the starter..

Can i check the timing on vcds?

 

[NHN]

1 is on the right hand side of the engine under the tandem pump on end of a pipe & the other is dead center behind the intake flap in front of the engine, its a real pita to get in to amongst pipes etc.

TDI tuning has a page somewhere on checking the measuring block, but tbh best thing is to lock all of & set up manually, as we had an issue for ages & only realised it was a crappy cambelt job by selling garage that caused all our issues.

 

[Sharkie1976]

For that price I'd buy 2, same afaik.

Well I know when I changed starters before the difference on new was dramatic, but you just need to rule out simple things 1st.

Timing is another biggy, if this is of then it wont start well or at all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
+1 on the timing. I checked mine last weekend and it was 1/2 a tooth out on exhaust cam. Looks like the specialists that did mine a couple of months ago over tensioned the tensioner and it has pulled the exhaust pulley slightly round anti clockwise. Therefore out by half a tooth.
I also suffer with poor starting, especially in the colder mornings.
Changing my timing belt (possibly old one stretched) this weekend as I suffer from idle judder too. I'm certain that it will help once lined up properly.
Hope this helps.

 

[shadow1993]

Hi,
I'm experiencing nearly the same issues.. mines doesn't struggle as severely as in the video but when it does start the rev's jump half 450ish RPM and then to around 900 like yours...

Have changed the temp sensor that's inside the coolant hose that also contains the thermostat.

New battery, injector cleaner etc.. Its slightly better but i reckon it will start to struggle when the colder weather sets in.

I have been told to change Glow plugs, but they only kick in if coolant is below 9 or 4c...?

Also been told that it could be the Glow Plug/ Injector Loom as apparently its a common issue, slightly more expensive (@ £100 off ebay) than trying glow plugs first though.

Will be keeping an eye on this, as i do want to get mines sorted as well.

I also suffer some idle judder, occasionally, could this be down to the timing belt? Mines was apparently changed at 78k, I'm on 103k now, surely it doesn't need changing already?

 

[Sharkie1976]

Hi,
I'm experiencing nearly the same issues.. mines doesn't struggle as severely as in the video but when it does start the rev's jump half 450ish RPM and then to around 900 like yours...

Have changed the temp sensor that's inside the coolant hose that also contains the thermostat.

New battery, injector cleaner etc.. Its slightly better but i reckon it will start to struggle when the colder weather sets in.

I have been told to change Glow plugs, but they only kick in if coolant is below 9 or 4c...?

Also been told that it could be the Glow Plug/ Injector Loom as apparently its a common issue, slightly more expensive (@ £100 off ebay) than trying glow plugs first though.

Will be keeping an eye on this, as i do want to get mines sorted as well.

I also suffer some idle judder, occasionally, could this be down to the timing belt? Mines was apparently changed at 78k, I'm on 103k now, surely it doesn't need changing already?

-----------------------------

I only say about the timing belt, not that it's worn or needs changing.......but the Audi specialist that did mine obviously couldn't be bothered to do it properly. Marking the crankshaft pulley with pen, rather than aligning the proper timing marks on the top and bottom pulley's, and then tensioning it up too much, pulling the exhaust cam to far around. I'm not impressed with these people, it was only done 1500 miles ago. Just a warning to check it's been done properly. Mine wasn't!!

 

[johal87]

1 is on the right hand side of the engine under the tandem pump on end of a pipe & the other is dead center behind the intake flap in front of the engine, its a real pita to get in to amongst pipes etc.

TDI tuning has a page somewhere on checking the measuring block, but tbh best thing is to lock all of & set up manually, as we had an issue for ages & only realised it was a crappy cambelt job by selling garage that caused all our issues.

Thanks NHN will try the coolant sensors before all else, then starter and then the cambelt

 

[Lukeyb]

I have a slightly similar cold start issue, it's not as bad as yours and only happens the first fire from dead cold first thing in the morning, on suggestion of this thread I've just put 2 new coolant temp sensors in this evening. I'm gonna see how it is in the morning then if no better it's going into a supposedly renowned vag diesel specialist in my area.

Just saying thanks for the coolant temp sender suggestions as another cheaper thing I could tick off my list.

 

[shadow1993]

Hi, where is the 2nd temp sensor? As i replaced the one thats' in the tube with the thermostat.
There is conflicting info online about where it is located on my car.

Are both of the sensors identical?

2004 2.0tdi se

 

[Lukeyb]

Yes they are the exact same, the other one is under the maf area on the right of the engine. There's a coolant hose there and the sensor is on the bottom side.

The sensors didn't work for me btw, I did get some more mpg today though so prob there was something up with them

 

[hollows wife]

non return valve built either inside , or on top of the fuel filter depending on which type you have allowing fuel to return back to the tank as air is getting in the fuel lines

 

[johal87]

Coolant Sensors changed, No apparent change. Still struggles to start.

Battery seemed a bit weak, lights flickered, turning the car on and off a few times killed the battery...

Before buying a battery im going to swap it with one in a fabia vrs 1.9 tdi, should be a similar spec?

And i have a starter now which i will change..

 

[Zac]

Any further luck with this mate? I'm currently in a similar situation, the car only has the cold start trouble after being stood for over 5 hours; subsequent starting is fine. Leaning towards the in-tank fuel pump as it shows no other symptoms...idles fine and pulls smoothly, but does stall once every couple of weeks.

 

[Lukeyb]

Mine was a cracked head and I've had it up to here with this engine, I'm putting a remanufactured engine in

 

[Zac]

Ah ok. Mine has the head code ending in C, so I doubt it's the head. Hope you get it all resolved.

 

[Raffaz]

Mine was doing the same recently, battery was testing over 12v, swapped battery and issue resolved. Have you tested with a different battery

 

[Lukeyb]

Mine was a C head, 3 cyls cracked

 

[S3 AEX]

My mates was doing exact same, it turned out to be a bad earth from battery. Worth a try?!

 

[Braderz]

mine does this, and puffs out a cloud of white smoke that stinks of diesel, i noticed it starts faster on even colder mornings like the last coupe of days, tired injector loom, full service, egr and throttle flap, cam and crank sensor but no luck. I hear the tandem pump can cause this also, problem is theres that many things that can cause this issue its almost impossible to get to the bottom of it. It seems that it is either over or under fuelling at startup from what i can gather

 

[Zac]

Mine starts with no hesitation if I clamp the fuel return line so I've ordered a new in tank pump, should resolve the issue.

 

[TDI140]

Thats bad mine does the same but no where near as bad report back if you fix it mate

 

[Eddi French]

Did anyone get a fix for this? 2.0tdi 2007 170, took the car into audi cause I couldn't be asked looking into it myself. So far the bills £525 and they've cleaned the egr for some mad reason?! He's testing the car in the morning at which point I'll get a phone call to say the fault hasn't been rectified no doubt!!!

 

[Zac]

Mine turned out to be the timing. Not one but two VAG 'specialists' managed to get it wrong... I changed the timing belt with a mate who used to be an Audi tech, and he said that people commonly use the wrong crank locking tool. He timed it with the correct tool and it solved my issue completely; had tried loads of other things before that including starter motor, battery and both fuel pumps with all lines checked for leaks.

It gave these exact symptoms, slow to start after being left for a few hours. Wasn't down on power and didn't idle oddly. Ensure that your timing is set correctly.

 

[Eddi French]

The cars only done 65k, the belt on there as far as I'm aware will be the one that was fitted in the factory. It's one to let the tec know tomo tho, I told them I won't pay for anything that doesn't fix the car, anyone can willy nilly change and clean components

 

[Zac]

My mrs' Clio RS 197 left the factory with the timing not right, started fine but her variable valve timing didn't work. Not the only one to be known apparently either. If it's something you've developed recently then I guess it's not going to be that, unless it's somehow managed to slip a tooth. Best of luck with it, mine annoyed me for months...felt a right idiot cranking for 5 seconds from cold!

 

[Eddi French]

5 seconds, I have to leave a jump pack on so I don't kill the battery till it gets started. Only got the car a week ago and bought it private. Did get a fault code for sporadic starting heading back to over a thousand miles before I picked it up so I told the bloke he's knowingly sold me a lemon and I won't be picking the bill up. It's so strange how when it's on it doesn't skip a beat tho. The audi tech that I spoke to earlier seemed to think that it's induction and not a fuelling problem, but personally I'd say it's not.