A4 1.9tdi avf hard starting

[Highlandreid]

Hi all. Recently bought an 04 1.9TDI AVF 130 and I have the following problem. When starting cold, its is hard to start (takes around 5 secs). At the same time I get the brake light flashing and 3 beeps from the dash as well as a bit of smoke out the exhaust. I've replaced all the filters and fitted a new battery. There's oil around the EGR, and the temp sensor was replaced by the dealer I bought it from to clear an Engine Management light. The beeps only seem to happen at the same time as the hard starting.

Can anyone advise what might be causing the beeps and hard starting? The liquid from the old fuel filter was clear yellowish in colour. I found out a few days ago it had a new camshaft, valves timing belt etc fitted by Arnold Clark earlier this year when the previous owner decided not to change the TB when the water pump was leaking...I've seen possible solutions on here that include EGR, tandem pump leak, air leak on fuel lines, incorrect timing or fuel timing, but not sure the best place to start...Any advice appreciated.

Dennis

[philfingers]

you've checked the glowplugs are working ok?
Timing may need looking at if it's just had a new cam fitted

[Highlandreid]

Hi Phil

Not checked the glowplugs yet...is this just a case of checking the resistance of each plug?

Cheers
Den

[philfingers]

remove the engine cover and down the RHS of the engine are the glow plugs. Pull the caps off and check the resistance. I would guess at 0.5 to 0.8ohms. If they're all ok, put the voltmeter in one of the glowplug connector wires and get someone to turn the engine on to the pre-ignition, where you would see the preheat light come on. The voltage should come up. if not it's a fuse issue maybe. Below about 5 to 8deg they stay on a fair bit longer.
Pays to check the obvious first. My old 2.5TDi was struggling to start and all the glow plugs had gone open circuit, replaced them all and it was fine, even at -15degC

[Highlandreid]

OK. Cheers Phil. I'll check it out tonight.

[nevo]

The brake alarm and bleeps are probably a low voltage spike caused by the excessive cranking.as above first things first glow plugs.

[benjie]

x3 for glow plugs - this has happened twice to me when the weather's turned cold (and the plugs are more important) and both times, 4 new plugs sorted it.

[Highlandreid]

Checked the front 3 plugs and all read a resistance of ~1-1.2 ohms which would seem to be OK. I'll have to check the last one at the weekend because the access is awkward esp. in the dark! I'll see if I can get a helper to check the wiring tomorrow...

[nevo]

Check there's voltage at the plugs,try taking one out,dont force it,its not worth risking it,if one comes out easily try it on the battery,degrease the threads and clean up the connections.

[Highlandreid]

Right been a bit busy lately and I've been waiting for some service history from Arnold Clark. All 4 plugs were replaced 2 months ago, the same time as the head was off valves camshaft cambelt etc replaced. According to the guy who did the job, the previous owner was complaining of rough starting before this so whilst the timing might be off as a result of the new recent head rebuilt this might not be the source of the problem. I haven't had a chance to check the voltage yet from the leads, but hopefully I'll get someone to help with this in the next few days. In the meantime bought a Genden dualK line cable and I'll do a fault code read to see if this throws anything up. The seals on the T-piece to the fuel filter were damaged and I've replaced these and I luckily picked up a cheap Pierburg EGR valve to replace my current unit which is leaking oil out the drain holes. I'll post how I get on hopefully this weekend. PS The hard starting is only when the car has been left for more than ~ 10 hours or so which makes me think its not the plugs...