Cold Start Trouble

[sangers]

Hi guys,

I have a mk5 golf tdi 2.0 and I have noticed that the car struggles to start in these colder winter months. And I will have to crank it a few times before the engine will turn over. Any advice as to what could be wrong or what needs changing?

Thanks!

[Idle]

The most obvious would be to inspect battery terminals (including earths) for corrosion and get the battery checked.

Then in descending order: Terminals, Starter, Glow Plugs, Fuel System, Engine Compressions (you might not be able to check all these yourself.)

[nutttr]

Does it sound like it's turning slower than usual? Or does it just take ages to crank?

If it's slow cranking then it's the battery, the colder it gets the less capacity they'll have...

However, are you simply turning the key, or do you wait for the glow plug light (little coil looking thing that turns off a few seconds after turning the key to 'running' position before actually starting the car) to go out? In the cold weather the diesels really need the glow plugs hot before you try and start it...

[sangers]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will have a better inspection of the car when i get time however at the moment it seems that the battery and starter motor are fine. My next course of action will be to whip out the multi meter and check the glow plugs.

It sounds like it is turning normally like it would in the hotter months. However, I have notice a funny sort of clicking/crunching sound when i turn the key into the on position so I have heard that this may be an issue with the fuel delivery system?

[Jmac]

Have iut scanned mate, the glow plugs log faults, also the glow plug wiring loom goes brittle. Only takes one glow plug for a bad start
cheers
Jmac

[Transporter]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will have a better inspection of the car when i get time however at the moment it seems that the battery and starter motor are fine. My next course of action will be to whip out the multi meter and check the glow plugs.

It sounds like it is turning normally like it would in the hotter months. However, I have notice a funny sort of clicking/crunching sound when i turn the key into the on position so I have heard that this may be an issue with the fuel delivery system?

How old is the battery? It may seem to you that it cranks OK but it doesn't have to be enough for the engine. If the battery is more than 4 years old it would be a suspect.

[sangers]

Just thought I would give an update...turned out I just had a bad batch of diesel. Emptied the tank then filled up full tank and have had no issues since

[Transporter]

That's a cheap fix.
Do you use any diesel additive? I wouldn't fill up with out putting the additive in the fuel first. All our oilers run like a swiss clock.

[sangers]

It was a cheap fix indeed. I think i might need to switch to bp diesel as I hear they have a higher cetane rating which is better for the golfs.
No i dont use any additives...any ones in particular you can recommend?

[Transporter]

Moreys Diesel Smoke Killer.
Morey Oil lubricant product details - MOREYS DIESEL SMOKE KILLER

More on fuel additives in the Diesel section or Lubricants section.

[twitchel]

mine has been rattling and really struggling to start as well, so i took it back to the dealer to get the issue sorted.

First diagnosis was a cracked airbox all around the engine. They gave me a new one and sent it back to me.

I was still having the issues, so i took it back to the dealer again, and they have now diagnosed a loose pulley somewhere apperantly near the gearbox.. they are fixing that now for me too (under warranty luckily)

[minircc]

yikes, that's not good..
i'm always worried what will happen after warranty.

[Maverick]

i'm always worried what will happen after warranty.

It's pretty simple, they'll ask you for payment!