2.5 TDI warm start problem, white smoke

[moosetication]

Afternoon, new member here. I've done a couple of searches and found some threads that are close to, but not quite the same as, my problem.

I have a 52 plate A6 TDI Avant now on 100K. It starts from stone cold (glow plug indicator on for about 3-5s or so) and from hot perfectly fine.

From "warm" (unused for a few hours from non-trivial drive, not long enough to cool properly) or even overnight if it hasn't been cold, it takes a veritable age to catch and when it does it's accompanied by a James Bond-esque grey/white smoke-screen from the exhaust.

It's been in to my local independent Audi specialist (APS) for a day, who say they can't find anything. A pal checked the diags with his VAGCOM and there's nothing useful in there.

Thoughts?

[moosetication]

Just to answer my own question for the sake of completeness: turns out that the timing was off by one tooth. Now starts at a turn of the key every time.

[kheratk]

I've got a 10 year old a3 with similar problem - as with yours has been checked at a garage with computer plugged in and nothing... could it have the same problem as yours did?... In adition it is also revving up and down as it pleases and looses water quite quickly! Any ideas?!

[fjtwelve]

Follow one of these links they may be of help

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=54242

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=19757

I think your crankcase breather filter or your EGR is knackered