2.0 TDI takes awhile to start

[DylanJ]

Ever since ive owned the car (about 7 month) it takes a while to start like its struggling like the battery doesnt have enough power to turn the engine over, it starts every time but takes a good 3 seconds and sounds like its not going to start

Even when the cars warmed up its the same if anything slightly worse.

Any ideas anyone?

Cars got 93k on it (05 non sportback)

ALSO: not sure if this is relevent but the car used to judder when floored or going from 2nd to third (its a DSG) (like a misfire but never had a EML), ive changed the deisel filter and put some injector cleaner through it and got the car carbon cleaned and it seems to do it rarely now

 

[FOURRINGS7]

Get the battery tested for sure to see if it's powerful enough. Always the first thing to check too.

But as it gets colder, diesels take a few more cranks anyway.

 

[SootySport]

Also wait for the glow plug lamp to go out before cranking the engine.
If the battery is the original one just change it, it's 11 years old now.

 

[Marek196c]

Battery anyway would be changed every 2 years (unless aftermarket one with more warranty) however if its not battery probably your starter motor is on its way. You can still try when starting on cold turn to position on the key wait for disappear of glow plugs light turn to position off the key and again to position on. do it like 2 or 3 times then start the engine, if its help probably need to change the glow plugs.

 

[Retroman]

I would guess it's the 11-year old glow plugs that need replacing and that the juddering (2nd to 3rd gear) might suggest the need for a gearbox oil service.

 

[Marek196c]

I would guess it's the 11-year old glow plugs that need replacing and that the juddering (2nd to 3rd gear) might suggest the need for a gearbox oil service.

11 yo glow plugs? they re changed on service schedule.
2nd and 3rd gear only? seem more to be something else than oil, may be something with ecu but check also the mountings.