Intermittent starting problem

**Manchester_Golf** · 02-04-2009,11:03 PM

Hi,

Ive got a mark 4 golf, 1.6 petrol engine on a Y reg which i have been having trouble with.

When i try to start it from being sat for a while, it sounds like the engine wants to start, but cant. If i keep the key turned for long enough (20 seconds or so) without putting my foot on the accelerator, it will eventually start, but like its struggling for a say 30 seconds, at VERY low revs, then finally increases the revs and runs as it should.

I had it in to a garage two days ago because the engine light was on, and the starting was getting worse. I got it back and he said it was fixed, changed the spark plugs and coil pack, £75. I wasn't convinced but it started and the engine light was off. About an hour later the engine light came back on and it wouldnt start, have took it back but they dont know whats wrong.

Do you think it sounds like a problem with petrol getting through? I dont know alot about mechanics, but am thinking that its to due with that because once its been running for even a few seconds, i turn it off, and it starts because there is already petrol through to the engine. But when its been sat, it is not getting petrol through and thats why it will eventually start after some time, when its got enough petrol? I was looking around the engine bay and could smell petrol quite strongly too, which i dont think is right?

Any help/advice gladly appreciated.

Thanks

**Manchester_Golf** · 03-04-2009,04:59 PM

Any ideas anybody please?

Im at a loose end with it

**zollaf** · 03-04-2009,05:08 PM

i would hook it up to vag com, and have a look at the temp readings when it is cold. the cts sensor should tell the ecu that the engine is cold, and increase fuelling as required for a cold start. if the sensor is not working this wont happen and this could be the fault. do you know what fault was stored when they read the codes?

**Manchester_Golf** · 03-04-2009,06:25 PM

He told me it was misfiring, only running on 3 cylinders.
Doesnt really mean much to me in all fairness, will i be able to get that done at a local garage do you know? & any idea on a rough price?

thanks.

**Manchester_Golf** · 04-04-2009,03:40 PM

Just had it into another garage today, the engine light wont go out and i want to sell this car, had enough of it. They dont know what is wrong with it.

If no one knows whats wrong, does anyone know where i might be able to take it to find out, there must be some kind of problem. Started it today 5 times, on short trips. Failed to start properly twice of them.

If i recorded it, whilst trying to start it up when it wont start, does anyone think they might have a better idea of what is going on?

Thanks

**zollaf** · 04-04-2009,03:44 PM

if the em light is on, then there must be a fault code stored. we need to find that fault code and go from there. did the garage you took it to plug a computer into it?.

**Manchester_Golf** · 04-04-2009,05:05 PM

To be honest i dont know if they did, they just phoned me and said its fixed.
I will get a fault code and then come back on here with it. They will get the fault code for me for £25.

Thanks.

**VAGMAN54** · 04-04-2009,05:34 PM

why are you paying for a scan again when they must have scanned it already ! i would insist a free report as its clear they carnt read whats there anyway,that type of service is what gives the garage trade a bad name..post the scan and lets see whats happening,it could be anything but a code is a starting point (no joke ment) and lets see where we go from there

**Manchester_Golf** · 04-04-2009,08:54 PM

Have just spoke to my dad who picked the car up for me the day the garage had it, and the guy at the garage had it plugged in to the VAG-COM and said the only fault it was showing was that it was misfiring and thats why he replaced the spark plugs and coil pack.

But if the engine management light is on, would there DEFINITELY be another fault code? Because if thats the case im going to get it read again now the lights back on.

& if the guy at the garage is telling the truth, that there is no faults, where would i turn if there is no faults showing?

**VAGMAN54** · 04-04-2009,10:38 PM

many things can cause a misfire not just plugs and coil packs ! if the lights on there will be a fault code ,i suspect a lean mixture -but thats a guess.....if nothing shows in your scanner try the eobd ..in codes follow that through and you will find all the info that caused the light to come on i/e coolant temp,fuel trims etc,etc..the art in finding whats wrong with your car is not with the code reader but knowing what it means and a good garage will be able to check it through properly not just do a guestimate and the fingers crossed route.plus if there is no fault codes how did vag.com know it had a misfire ? i can smell an odour and it should be flushed away before it gets worse !!