Diagnosis - VW 1.9 very long turning time before ignition (sometimes)

kifi

Hi all

I've a 2006 Passat 1.9 diesel, regularly serviced, with a starting problem. It turns over for a long time before starting. But, this only occurs sometimes. When it doesn't take an age to ignite, it can often start pretty quickly, but with a big shudder.


Any ideas on what might be the problem?

Thanks

bbbaldy

Will need more info. Is it bad to start when left for a while, or when hot. Is there smoke when it starts. Elaborate on the shudder. have you had any work done to it lately.

jca

Has the fuel filter been changed lately? Check the plastic valve on the return line on top of the filter these can be of dubious quality and give all sorts of starting troubles.

kifi

Thanks guys. It has a service in a VW garage about 5,000 km ago, all filters done. Other previous history - a clutch and flywheel change 15000km ago.

White smoke is noticeable on starting.

Regarding hot/cold, the problem is mostly when cold and rarely happens when hot. However, on two occasions the engine was hot and the problem was there. Sorry, this mightn't help diagnosis!!

joujoujou

Check glow plugs first.

kifi

joujoujou wrote: »

Check glow plugs first.

Thanks. I will. Are they easily accessible on this engine? I opened the engine and to be honest, couldn't locate them!

bbbaldy

Yup I agree, sounds like glowplugs. They arent too bad to do on this engine. depends on your experience.

kifi

Thanks guys, I have changed oil, oil filters, and fuel previously. I would like to give it a shot, what do you think?

jca

I don't think the glow plugs are needed on that engine only in very cold conditions. I had two gone in mine which only showed up in diagnostic scan. The car always started perfectly. I replaced them but tbh I didn't notice any difference.

bbability

Do you keep the key pushed in until its starts or after a couple of turns do you let go of the key? This sounds like injector trouble to me. Oh and check the EGR Valve. It might be blocked.

kifi

bbability wrote: »

Do you keep the key pushed in until its starts or after a couple of turns do you let go of the key? This sounds like injector trouble to me. Oh and check the EGR Valve. It might be blocked.

I keep the key in which keeps the engine rotating and don't let it out until it starts

bbability

Check EGR Valve. Its easy to get at. Check YouTube

9935452

jca wrote: »

I don't think the glow plugs are needed on that engine only in very cold conditions. I had two gone in mine which only showed up in diagnostic scan. The car always started perfectly. I replaced them but tbh I didn't notice any difference.

id agree here . father has one and it never needs to be heated.

It does sound as if its getting starved of fuel though

colm reilly

had the same problem with a 2006 Octavia 680,000 km on it , mechcanic plugged it in and turned out to the the crankshaft sencor , cheap fix .

jca

colm reilly wrote: »

had the same problem with a 2006 Octavia 680,000 km on it , mechcanic plugged it in and turned out to the the crankshaft sencor , cheap fix .

680,000 km!!! Holey moley that's some going. Have you had much expenditure in clocking up those km's??

colm reilly

Wouldn't have time to list everything replaced ,

9935452

colm reilly wrote: »

Wouldn't have time to list everything replaced ,

Does triggers broom/brush come to mind??

kifi

Thanks all, varying replies. If it helps to know this, lately it has been starting immediately on pushing the key. It really is an intermittent problem. With that in mind, what do you think should be focused on / looked at first?

Thanks

9935452

kifi wrote: »

Thanks all, varying replies. If it helps to know this, lately it has been starting immediately on pushing the key. It really is an intermittent problem. With that in mind, what do you think should be focused on / looked at first?

Thanks

Bring to a mechanic , read the fault codes and go from there

jca

kifi wrote: »

Thanks all, varying replies. If it helps to know this, lately it has been starting immediately on pushing the key. It really is an intermittent problem. With that in mind, what do you think should be focused on / looked at first?

Thanks

Sticky/dirty egr valve. Probably no codes logged.