A6 C6 3.0 TDI Starting difficulties when engine hot

[Big_Jim]

Car starts very well from cold. Battery is good.

If I shut the engine down (eg at a garage for petrol) when I try to restart, the car seems like it has a flat battery and won't fire. This can happen for two or three attempts. Usually after this it then starts just fine, almost like there wasn't a problem in the first place.

'It starts eventually, so whats the problem?' I hear you cry. Well I guess you are right but I'm just waiting for the occasion when it won't start!

I'm sure I posted about this problem before but I can't find the thread, so thought I'd start a new one.

Things I've tried:

1. Praying - no difference
2. Fingers crossed - no difference
3. Cleaned battery terminals - seemed to make a small difference for a while
4. Tightened battery terminals - seemed to make a small difference for a while
5. Sworn - no difference
6. New battery - no difference

Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance

Jim

[Guest 2]

If I shut the engine down (eg at a garage for petrol) .

Well it wouldn't start well on petrol considering its a diesel ;)

Maybe the starter is on its way out?

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?150099-Starter-motor-failure

[snapdragon]

I have read the same symptom on other forums on the 3.0V6 TDi and it was the starter motor but have a google.

[ac606]

this happens on boats a lot due to the damp environment the engines run in. My Mastercraft has the same problem, I've been working my way through the battery cable and connections to the starter motor, replacing and or cleaning as I go. High resistance (worse when hot) somewhere. Highly likely it is the starter itself, but ensuring all connections are clean, including those to the starter itself is a good starting point and if the starter needs a rebuild then everything upstream is good. Most likely the same problem for you I would guess.

[Big_Jim]

Thanks Chaps - very useful.

I'll let you know how I get on (apart from with the petrol ;-)).

[MarkTM]

Jim, why are you using that excessively large Audi logo on your posts...it just uses up room unecessarily....or is this perhaps why you chose your handle? :biglaugh:

[Big_Jim]

Jim, why are you using that excessively large Audi logo on your posts...it just uses up room unecessarily....or is this perhaps why you chose your handle? :biglaugh:

hahaha, thanks for pointing that out Mark. I'll remove it. :o

[Big_Jim]

Is there a 'how to' change the starter motor anywhere? I've looked and looked but to no avail.

[B5NUT]

I used to get a long pause when starting with a hot engine on my 3.0TDi, you would turn the key and the engine would try to start to turn then stop for a couple of seconds then try and start again, this would only happen once. Ever since I changed the injectors this has gone away. My B7 A4 used to chew up starter motors, I went through 3 in around 60K miles, when they started to go it made some nasty sounds, are you getting any strange noises when starting?

Have you had the car scanned is there any fault codes?

[MarkTM]

Having replaced the regulator on my alternator I can say that removal of the starter (which sits behind the alternator and a little to the passenger side) looks quite easy.

You'll need a set of ramps and I think a 13mm and 10mm ratchet but you should have it off in about 5 mins and the same

Do you have the undershielding fitted to your car, if so and you've never taken it off before, remember to take a picture of the way it fits in the wheel arches. I forgot when I first took mine off and it took a bit of manouvering to get right.

[Big_Jim]

I used to get a long pause when starting with a hot engine on my 3.0TDi, you would turn the key and the engine would try to start to turn then stop for a couple of seconds then try and start again, this would only happen once. Ever since I changed the injectors this has gone away. My B7 A4 used to chew up starter motors, I went through 3 in around 60K miles, when they started to go it made some nasty sounds, are you getting any strange noises when starting?

Have you had the car scanned is there any fault codes?

No, I haven't had it scanned and you have hit on one of my fears (injectors) - I guess thats big bucks? There arent any noises associated with the starting problem but I do get a lot of smoke when the car has been idling for a while - I guess that could be related to the injector problem too.

[B5NUT]

That does sound like injectors, what year is your A6?

It does not have to be expensive, I got a set of used injectors (BD revision) for £500

[Big_Jim]

That does sound like injectors, what year is your A6?

It does not have to be expensive, I got a set of used injectors (BD revision) for £500

My A6 is a 55 plate and its only done 200k miles - so barely run in!

£500 is a lot to spend on £3k car :-)

[B5NUT]

my car has done the same miles and will be worth the same sort of money, but so far I've seen an increase in MPG, and a noticeable improvement in performance. The main thing about replacing the injectors was to stop the smoking when waiting at lights or stuck in traffic.

[Big_Jim]

my car has done the same miles and will be worth the same sort of money, but so far I've seen an increase in MPG, and a noticeable improvement in performance. The main thing about replacing the injectors was to stop the smoking when waiting at lights or stuck in traffic.

Yes, its dreadful. Although great if someone is tailgating ;-)

The starting issue is beginning to get worse too. It used to start second time, now its third or even fourth attempt. With the cold weather the battery is struggling to keep up.

I may try 'webuyanycar' and see if I can pull the wool over their eyes. ;-)

[bussen]

Hi i have had same problem on my 3,0 2006 it was the starter

[Martyn Cam]

I'm having the same issue with my toe rag
3.0v6 tdi 2006 slow crank like the battery is flat and if I leave it white smoke stinks like diesal starts coming out just looking to see if you sorted it please?

[danny1]

I had the same problem on mine engine would hardly turn over when hot, like timing was wrong or something like that. Smoking after 5 minutes on idle.
Changed the injectors and haven't happened since

[dean warren]

My A6 is a 55 plate and its only done 200k miles - so barely run in!

£500 is a lot to spend on £3k car :-)

Yes it is, but as others have said on other posts these are high end £45,000 cars you cant really expect to run them for a few pound,
Ive had mine 4 years and its broken down 3 times in the last 3 months, 1st was fan belt bottom pulley and tensioner parts alone £400, month later injectors, parts only £700, now alternator has failed, £250 for parts alone. Its a great car.


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