Golf TDI GT SPORT BKD won't start when stood for over a day?

[Sly]

Hi all, looking after my sister's Golf while she's away in NZ. My first time working with diesel so go easy on me!

When I first went to pick the car up a month ago it had stood for a week and wouldn't start. RAC got it going with easystart, switched engine off then started again fine straight away. Been driving it fine since then with no probs, engine runs fine hot or cold, fast or slow (but mostly fast!) If I've noticed anything it's that it takes one or two seconds cranking for it to start but I thought that might just be a 'diesel thing'? but it always has started, until yesterday, had only been stood for a day and cranking it until the oil pressure warning came on but no start. Easy start got it going, switched it straight off then straight on again, started fine. Same again this morning, but obviously can't be good using easystart every morning!!! Haven't checked for fault codes today as Mrs Sly has taken it to work but there were none following the previous time. I knew I should have looked into this sooner as these things never get better on their own do they but here we are!?

What's going on then? I seems that if the car stands for a day then the fuel is draining back out of the engine and there isn't a head of fuel there to start it, nor is simply cranking it getting the fuel back in there? I did replace the fuel filter when I got it last month when I did the oil too, yukky sludge! I've searched the forums and most people seem to be having issues starting when warm, not cold. Someone did say that the flywheel needs to reach a certain speed before the ecu will inject fuel, it does seem to turn over quick enough but could a fresh battery or starter sort me out? Don't notice any difference in cranking speed between successful and non-successful starts. Should it be starting instantly on the button?

Ignore the signature below, this is a manual 1k1 2.0l TDI sport 103kw with a BKD engine and just over 100k miles. I go away for six weeks in a couple of days so would like to leave it 'working' for Mrs Sly while I'm away so any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Teflon]

I was told by an RAC technician that the minimum cranking speed was 800rpm before it will squirt the juice in. The value might be wrong (I'm old and forget stuff) but the principle is the same.

A poor battery might trip over this minimum and let you down, but this is usually a cold weather problem, not this time of year. You could always try a battery charger to give it a top up before you spin it over and if this is a reliable solution then it might be worth getting the battery drop tested. A weedy starter is more difficult to diagnose but usually the difference in sound is much more noticable than for a slightly limp battery.

he other option is to wait 3 months and the bad weather will either eliminate this as a cause or confirm it.

[nevo]

The bkd and others can suffer from warm starts,but cold is usually ok.your analysis is probably ok fuel draining back,test it by parking nose down if you can.try disconnecting the fuel supply and cycle the ignition see if any fuel comes out.

[Sly]

try disconnecting the fuel supply and cycle the ignition see if any fuel comes out.

Cheers, I'm away for six weeks now but I'll try that when I get back if she's still having problems getting going in the mornings. (The car, not the missus!)

[Doctle Odd]

No return valve as close to the tank as you can get it

[Sly]

No return valve as close to the tank as you can get it

What, there is one or I should fit one?! I think I read that there might be a NRV in the dual pump but not sure if that's the case on this model?

[Doctle Odd]

Sorry, I hate typing, fit one near the tank. they cost about 2 quid and you're guaranteed there's a filter full of diesel and 5 feet of pipe full of diesel, enough to start any car. If that doesn't work you lost 2 quid, that's still cheap diagnostics!

[Doctle Odd]

I just noticed it's a BKD engine. Do you hear a hissing/squelching sound when you turn on the ignition?

[SubSub1]

I just noticed it's a BKD engine. Do you hear a hissing/squelching sound when you turn on the ignition?

Thats what I was thinking, I had a customer once who had similar issues. I replaced a blown fuse and the in tank fuel pump started working again, no more bad starts ;-)