Problem on Cold Start 1993 Golf GL Diesel

[mcmonster]

I am having a problem starting my vehicle in the mornings.  It is not even cold out maybe -5 but car is parked in an enclosed garage.  I have replaced the 50amp fuse to the glow plugs, but when I try starting in the morning it will continue to just turn over and billow all kinds of smoke out of the vehicle.  If I crank for awhile several times, then eventually will fire up.  The glow plugs were all checked by my mechanic a few weeks ago, and they were all fine.  If I plug the block heater on the vehicle in and start in the morning starts fine.  Regardless if it has been running during the day, the vehicle runs great, there is only 160000 km on this vehicle and it is a 1993 golf gl diesel.  I am thinking that it could be a relay that is starting to fail. Anyone have any other things that I should consider?

[Vincent Waldon]

It certainly sounds like a glowplug system issue and it's fairly easy to troubleshoot with a test light or multimeter:

http://www.vincewaldon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=28

[mcmonster]

Thanks for the help vince, will give it a try.

[burn_your_money]

Verify the timing, your crank gear could be starting to spin

[mr.bbs]

Verify the timing, your crank gear could be starting to spin

don't those just snap + let loose? 

[nathan_b]

no, they wallow out

[R.O.R-2.0]

Verify the timing, your crank gear could be starting to spin

don't those just snap + let loose? 

no, thats the timing belt that snaps and kills your engine..