NEW MEMBER, MY 2010 OCTAVIA ESTATE 2.0 TDI 140 DSG IS SLOW TO START AT TEMPS. BELOW -2c IT CHURNS OVER FOR APP. 30 secs THEN STARTS WITH A CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE, I LEFT IT WITH THE MAIN DEALER TO CHECK THE PRE-HEATER SYSTEM. WHEN I CALLED BACK THE YOUNG GIRL SAID THEY HAD GIVEN IT A HEALTH CHECK AND EVERYTHING WAS OK!!! CAN ANYONE ADVISE ME HOW TO CHECK THE PRE-HEATER SYSTEM? (READINGS ETC.) I AM A RETIRED ELECT/MECH ENG. WITH VERY GOOD TEST EQUIP.

I presume you're waiting for the glow plug light ot go out? (No offence meant, but it's happened before )

It does sound like a pre heat / glow plug issue though.

Hi and welcome aboard.

Please take your keyboard off caps lock.

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I'm sure if you post your issue in this section it may reveal more answers.. http://briskoda.net/forums/forum/28-skoda-octavia-ii/