slow crank with cold start handle

[slorimer]

Already having starting troubles and its only -5C.  Will test the normal culprits (battery,..).  But something strange occured, the engine will crank significantly faster if I have the cold start lever push in as opposed to pulled out.  Has anyone had this happen to them.  I couldn't think of a good reason why this would happen, I thought It just advanced the timing and increased the idle.  Is one possibliity the fact that my timing could be too far advanced and advancing it more with the cold start lever makes things worse?

[Vincent Waldon]

This is actually the preferred VW way to start found in most owner's manuals:  engage the engine with the cold start handle in, and then pull out on the handle as soon as the engine catches.

I've had cars that needed to be started that way...and I've also had cars that start better with the handle out while cranking.  

My theory is that if your timing is already pretty advanced pulling out the cold-start handle advances it to the point where it's firing too soon at the 200ish RPM the engine cranks over at and actually impedes the piston's travel up, causing additional load on the starter and slowing down the cranking.

As soon as the engine is idling (1000 RPM) the additional advance caused by the cold start handle is appropriate to the rpm.

At least that's my theory... but in any event what you're describing is how VW expects things to work... my guess is that your timing is actually pretty darn close.

[molgrips]

Yep.  My manual says that if it's really realy cold (like -20C or below) then start it with the handle in then pull it out when it catches.  I'd say that if you're running more than spec advance then you'd have to do that at higher temps...

[slorimer]

Thanks guys, that is helpful.  I am pretty sure my timing is set at 0.039".  So what I may actually want is increased RPM without the increased timing advance.  Could I do that just by pressing on the gas pedal slightly.

Or should I crank the timing back a bit so I can use the cold start handle.

[gldgti]

chances are, if you're advanced a bit, then you've probable almost negated the cold starts effect anyway.

in the extreme case - my mates 1.6TD passat was so far advanced that it woud not start at all with the cold start pulled out - once you pushed it it, it would fire right up, as if nothing wrong.

[Duster 5.9]

mines set at .039 and it hates the cold start lever. my pa's golf is set at .039 and has to use the lever. go figure every application is different.

[slorimer]

Ya, good point, my old pump was also at 0.039 and it liked the cold start, this one hates it.  Does anyone recall how far the cold start advances timing in the fully pulled position, I'm thinking of backing the timing off slightly so I can use the cold start, would like to back off just enough.
Thanks

[Duster 5.9]

do ya think ya really need the cold start funtion if the engine starts without the cs. if you retard the timing you should get better smileage yes, but why would you retard it to just use the cold start function, if it starts without it. kinda sounds to me that your pump is a tad worn like most are. you are setting the timing at .039 like most of us do, but are we really at .039 compared to a new pump? i think not, but this is where tuning comes in and that is another story. it won't hurt you a bit to go .038 or .037, but remember its not going to act totally the same as your used too.

[slorimer]

I actually just want the cold start handle for the increased idle during startup.  Your right, if your at 0.039 you don't need it otherwise.