Hard start TD - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Hard start TD by 935racer on 09 Nov, 2004 21:13
• 1991 TD, not eco diesel. Its a canadian version.
   I have to crank it over for at least 5 seconds and than it sputters to life and idles and drives fine from there on. I think its a fuel issue, It doesn't seem to make a difference wether I have the cold start oaut or not. Seems liek if I blip the throttle it starts a couple seconds sooner. Any ideas?
• #1 by Dr. Diesel on 09 Nov, 2004 21:19
• if what you are describing is happening around the 0*c mark, it sounds pretty good! You can always check your glowplugs,  if one is burnt out, it's just enough to make starting hard in the cold, even with a good engine.
• #2 by Cheesetoast on 09 Nov, 2004 21:36
• is there an easy way to check my glow plugs? looks like the two far left ones are a pain in the butt to replace...
• #3 by Dr. Diesel on 09 Nov, 2004 22:03
• i can't say for sure that it's 100% accurate, but so far, this method hasn't proven inaccurate for me yet. I remove the power bus from the plugs, connect my test light's clip to the positive terminal and then touch the ends of the installed glowplugs. burnt out plugs don't light up the tester. verify after removal by powering them on the bench.
• #4 by 935racer on 10 Nov, 2004 19:28
• Man I'm in San Diego, So its more like 65-75. Its warm, It seems to be getting worse, like its taking longer to start maybe it is glowplugs but it sure doesn't smoke much. And even after I run it for like 30 minutes and let it sit for 1 minute and than start it up again it has to crank over for at least 5 seconds... HELP
• #5 by dieselpower on 16 Nov, 2004 18:20
• hey,
  my car has that same problem sometimes. not all the time tho. it seems if i give it like a quarter throttle right from the start it starts sooner, and also if i have my cold start advace out when the car is warm. it also seems to start better if i leave the key on and run a glowplug cycle before starting even when its warm. the only thing i can think of is maybe an air leak and it has to prime itself before it starts again? im not even sure if thats possible but it could be whats wrong.
  good luck
  
  Mark
• #6 by fspGTD on 16 Nov, 2004 21:03
• Quote from: "Cheesetoast"

  is there an easy way to check my glow plugs? looks like the two far left ones are a pain in the butt to replace...

  
  
  Here's one way to check them (if you happen to have your injectors removed)...