2.8 30v v6 cold start issue plus other symptoms

[Quattrotech2016]

Hi all

Have an A8 2.8 2001, which has started having cold start issues.

It can turn over endlessly when cold and not start, almost sounding and feeling like its flooded.

Wait half an hour, and after hesitation will eventually fire.

Once running for a few minutes will start first turn of key.

Car runs seriously smoothly and plenty of power. No noises or misfires. Very responsive up to 3/4 throttle

I was thinking temp sensor, however the temp guage seems to behave itself.

Other possible related symptoms;

Poor mpg (15mpg at best! That's being very gentle)

Seems to pull better at half to 3/4 throttle than full throttle, like it's getting bogged down trying to burn the fuel at full throttle.

My temp gauge never goes above 90, yet within 20 mins of gentle driving from cold, everything seems very hot - when I switch it off after just 20mins gentle use, I can hear all the metals in the exhaust and downpipes ticking away like crazy from the heat expansion/contraction as if I'd been bouncing it off the Rev limiter all day. It smells hot, and heat radiating from front arches and bonnet is colossal even after just 20mins.

Water pump etc all done. This car has had no expense spared and runs like new apart from these symptoms and cold start issue.

Could a dodgy temp sensor make it run rich, whilst not playing silly buggers on the gauge, or making it idle high??

Confused as I would have thought temp sensor main culprit, but if it was essentially running on choke, wouldn't it idle high?

Any help or advice greatly appreciated!

[grant19841]

Could be the maf do a vcds

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[Scott K]

Check your coil packs and HT leads.

[damtom85]

connect VCDS, it could be sensors, crankshaft position sensor, oxygen sensor, Maf, but without diagnostics u will not find out