Hi Guys,

This is my first winter with the Skoda. Its been a pleasure to drive in the snow. Had no issues. But every morning the car struggles to start. Either sounds weak and like a tractor for 1min, OR it will cut out striaght away and then start by sounds like on 3 cylinders, and then 4. This only happens if left over night. If ive started it once that day, it will be fine when going home from work. Does sound alot louder when first warming up...

Im assuming a glow plug...how do i test to find out which one, and whats the price of one of these bad boys?

Any help taken!

Regards

Lee

not sure... but could also be a weak battery?

Do you wait for the glow plug light to go out on the dash pod?

do you hold the starter motor on until it's truly running or just flick it?

It's unlikely you've lost a glowplug, because they're only used at low temperatures.

Wait for the glow plug light to go out. This is important.

If the starter sounds slow when you're firing up, it's probably the battery.

Otherwise, when was the oil last changed? This sounds off the wall, but the oils for these engines thicken up when it's really cold.

Edited 20 December, 201015 yr by KenONeill

remove all leads to the four plugs and then check each for continuity from it's terminal to the block/earth they're approx £10 each but check the battery first preferably a load test

Starter sounds fine! It honestly sounds like its firing on 3 cylinders when it first fire's up, first or second time. I always wait for the glow plug light to go out and hold the ignition till it starts. It never fails to turn over the engine, but it immediatley fails. On second start it fires up first time, but sounds like a tractor until i get moving and it warms up.

Ill check the battery, but im quite sure its not that. Its due a service in Jan 2011 for oil change etc.. but ive never known oil to go that thick and stop an engine turning, if anything doesnt it thin?

Starter sounds fine! It honestly sounds like its firing on 3 cylinders when it first fire's up, first or second time. I always wait for the glow plug light to go out and hold the ignition till it starts. It never fails to turn over the engine, but it immediatley fails. On second start it fires up first time, but sounds like a tractor until i get moving and it warms up.

Ill check the battery, but im quite sure its not that. Its due a service in Jan 2011 for oil change etc.. but ive never known oil to go that thick and stop an engine turning, if anything doesnt it thin?

?

has it only done it sins the cold weather if so probs just very cold fuel is thick and can cause problems on a morning try keeping in a garage over night if you can and see if gets better