Cold Starting Problems

[Boltupright]

Hi, I have just bought a 2002 A6 2.5 tdi SE Quattro Avant Tiptronic and love it. During a recent trip abroad it did not want to start though. The outside temp was between freezing and minus 12 C. The glow plug light comes on as usual for quite a time (7-8 seconds) but when I try to start it only 2 or 3 of the 6 cyclinders seem to fire up straight away, followed by the others, one at a a time and the whole process takes about 30 seconds. This must be putting a hell of a strain on the battery and starter motor and doesn't seem right. Performance and everything else seems fine and averaging around 29-30 mpg which is all I can expect I guess, although I was hoping for better.

Any help gratefully received!

A6 Newbie

[lonky]

sounds like you need a new set of glow plugs.

Could be one or two have died.

if you measure the resitance of each you will find which, though I always change as a set, as if one has died the others are probably not far behind

[Boltupright]

Lonky,

Many thanks, I'll get them changed and see if that sorts it.

[Fishr]

boltupright, let us know if it sorts it as I seem to be having the same problem, usually only starts on the 2nd or 3rd attempt on these frosty mornings and when it does start there is a nice cloud of smoke!......a bit worrying!

[Boltupright]

Fishr,

Will do. I'm getting the same big cloud of smoke when it does finally start. I'm going to try and get it booked in this week at local Audi specialist.

[dandam]

Snap !

I've a 99 2.5TDi with 134k miles on it, every cold morning it'll turn over for 5 - 10 seconds before firing up and belching out the smoke from the exhaust !

[lonky]

try preheating twice before turning engine over.

Sounds like worn glowplugs

[dandam]

Tried two preheats this morning (even though it wasn't as cold outside, about 4.5 degrees) and it's never started so quickly - so thanks for the advice, new glowplugs will be on order by the end of today

[Boltupright]

Hi all,

Took it to Audi specialist in Salisbury yesterday. The car started cleanly with no problems - typical. They couldn't find anything wrong and advised to leave it til it becomes more apparent and gave similar advice on starting i.e. turn the ignition to pre-heat and wait til the light goes out then do it again before trying to start. On really cold mornings do it 3 times, apparently this will place far less strain on the battery than turning it over for 30 seconds or more waiting for the thing to start! No problems since...

Thanks to all for advice.

[Fishr]

i tried letting the glowplugs work twice the other morning, defo made it start easier, still not perfect though, a bit rough running when it did start for about 2-3 seconds, like it was not firing on all cylinders.

Just out of interest, how long does the coil light stay on for on your cars? Mine seems to be about 5 seconds max.