A4 1.9 TDI Quatrro Starting Problem

[oldsparkyman]

Hi,
Over the last week or so have noticed the starting of my Audi becoming a bit laboured, with the prospect of the car sitting in an airport carpark for a cpl of days while away i thought i should have the battery checked and sure enough it showed up on my mechanics tester that it was ready for a change.
Now it has been replaced with a brand new battery it still sounds like the starting is a bit laboured you wouldnt think it has just had a new battery fitted.
Any ideas what if anything could be wrong, dont want to come back from my trip to a car that wont start.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[toff]

Hmm, it does sound strange!

Has your new battery been given a full charge since fitted?
Often a long run up the motorway or a complete cycle on a quality computerised charger is required.

Don't underestimate how much of an effect cold weather has on a battery - it has a massive impact.

Do you always start your car when its out of gear -or- do you put it in gear and push the clutch in whilst you turn-over?

Al.

[oldsparkyman]

Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply.
I have just in the last few minutes completed a 80 mile round trip on a motorway.
Have tried starting the car again and the same problem exsits.
The car starts ok but its very laboured the signs seem to indicate a flat battery but thats not the case as i have just put this new one in. It starts after a cpl of slow laboured turns but im just waiting for the day when it dosnt start at all.
As for Starting the car out of gear? its something i have never thought of, but i think i start it out of gear and with the clutch in, is there a reason for you asking this question?
Thanks for helping.
Regards
Paul

[kite]

Clutch and gearbox drag.....
Check the earth straps and connections on the starter.

[benjie]

It's not a semi blocked egr is it?
Or glow plugs?

Mine was a slightly poor starter this time last year & 3 new glow plugs solved it. (Couldn't get to the 4th one!)

[oldsparkyman]

My know how around the engine bay of a car is very limited, i will take all advice and suggestions on board and see if its something i can try to sort myself, if not i will pass it on to my mechcanic. So what is a egr? and where would i locate it.
regards
Paul.

[kite]

EGR= Exhaust Gas Re-circulation

[oldsparkyman]

EGR= Exhaust Gas Re-circulation

Thanks for that info, how does this item become blocked and how would it be unblocked?
If it was blocked would the syptoms be as described in my posts?
Regards
Paul.

[kite]

The EGR sends some of the exhaust gasses round into the inlet to be burnt again, this is to reduce exhaust gasses. It can get blocked by a build up of carbon.
i don;t think that is your problem.
You have a new batt. and the car is still tuning over slow, I wuld suspect an electrcal fault.
Check connections on the starter and the earth strap on the engine, also the battery connections too.

[toff]

Hi,
As for Starting the car out of gear? its something i have never thought of, but i think i start it out of gear and with the clutch in, is there a reason for you asking this question?

As Kite said.. Clutch & gearbox drag.

If your clutch is near to wearing out, it may be biting very slightly even when the pedal is depressed all the way? Try starting with the car out of gear with your foot off the clutch completely.

It's a natural instinct of mine to dip the clutch when starting the car.. just in case (I always leave it in gear on my driveway).

If it's struggling to start even after a long journey, I'd suspect load on the engine somewhere, like:

• The aircon compressor (try turning the Aircon to OFF before you attempt to start)
• Increased friction in a component due to water ingression? (i.e. where the starter motor engages the fly wheel)
• A stiff pulley or belt tensioner (again, possibly due to water ingression or wearing out)

Obviously I'm no expert, but it's food for thought.

Have you noticed increased fuel consumption or an abnormally high / low engine tone at idle?

Al.