VW Touran 2.0TDi

[Bosniangirl]

Hi everyone. I have just joined, so forgive me if this isn't the way I supposed to ask for help!
I bought my Touran in the UK a month ago and then drove it to Bosnia where I now live, without a hitch. However, I now have a strange problem!

The weather here has been extreme, getting down to -25 at night and some days not getting above -18 which I think it what may be causing the problem, but not sure. I had the car serviced in the UK before I left and then when I got here, a garage added something to the fuel tank to prevent the diesel for going 'gloopy' in the cold, so thought I was ok.

When trying to start the car a week ago, the STOP and oil pressure light came on, so I left it alone. I then did all I could to heat the car engine for a couple of days and lo and behold the car started. Took it for a short drive and then left it to idle for 20 minutes and turned it off. Went out an hour later and the same thing happened with the lights.
Couple of days later went out - started no problem and no lights. Drove to town and back (about 20 miles) and drove like a dream, but I didnt turn the car off when outside the supermarket, incase it wouldnt start again. Good job I didn't. Got back; turned it off. Tried to start it again - no go and STOP and oil pressure light again!

All very strange - anyone have any idea what could be going on? Tried again this morning and still the same problem.

Thanks

[Rob69]

You don't say what year the car is or mileage or engine code, I hate to say it but I suspect the balance shaft to oil pump drive key has been worn and when you've started the engine in very cold weather the more viscous oil has placed more load on the oil pump drive hex key and it has started slipping in the balancer shaft. When you then warmed the engine a bit prior to starting there may have been sufficient of a ragged edge to drive the pump enough to prevent the oil warning coming on. Once you tried again from very cold you have lost the drive again.
Unless anyone else comes along with a sweeter pill to swallow I suggest you don't attempt to start again, do some research into this common 2 litre engine problem, and if yours is one of the affected engines get the sump removed and check the oil pump drive. There are replacement balancer / oil pump assemblies available and hopefully there is no terminal damage to the engine or turbo already caused.