Hi all,

My non pd tdi 110 is struggling to warm up when driving, I've just drive 7 miles and it's took 6 miles and 20 minutes to warm up to 90c, it used to warm up a lot fast that that a couple of weeks ago plus it's now starting to struggle to start when it's been left to cool down for a few hours.

Any ideas?

I first got the car approx 5 months ago and when I first picked it up the temp gauge would be at 90c then drop quickly to 50 and then just as quick back up to 90, I know this points to the temp sensor but it stopped doing it within a couple of days and has been fine since so I never bothered doing anything with it. Could this possibly be the cause? The car has done just over 89k and I bought it on 82k, I've serviced it at 83,900mls.

My first suspicion would be the temp sensor. If you replace it make sure you get a genuine one, although having said that Jorily sell oem quality ones for about 1/3 of the price.

CTS is worth changing if you have the original black one in. Stuck open thermostat would cause slow warm up. Bare in mind that the cold weather will have an effect on how quick the car warms up especially on a diesel. My Mondeo ST TDCI is taking longer to warm up than it did a few weeks ago.

Edited 12 December, 201114 yr by pauldazzle

..it's took 6 miles and 20 minutes to warm up to 90c...

That sounds about right at these temperatures.

If the engine temperature is getting really low overnight, then you need to wait until the glowplug light goes out before starting.

If the battery has never been replaced, then glowplugs+starter will show up any weakness.

That sounds about right at these temperatures.

If the engine temperature is getting really low overnight, then you need to wait until the glowplug light goes out before starting.

If the battery has never been replaced, then glowplugs+starter will show up any weakness.

The outdoor temperature is about 6c at the moment, I didn't think that would have much effect? I know freezing temperatures take there toll.

I always wait for the glow plug light to go off before starting and the battery is a halfords one that looks pretty recent.

I'll try the temp sensor first, I'll order one tomorrow.

The outdoor temperature is about 6c at the moment, I didn't think that would have much effect? I know freezing temperatures take there toll.

I always wait for the glow plug light to go off before starting and the battery is a halfords one that looks pretty recent.

I'll try the temp sensor first, I'll order one tomorrow.

First thing in the morning, the engine temp can be lower than the ambient temperature if it was colder overnight. If takes time for that big lump of metal to reach ambient.

Without VCDS, you have no idea what the 'ECU channel' from the CTS is doing, but I would expect it to affect your MPG. The other channel that feeds the dash temp gauge seems to be working OK.

The other thing that affects cold weather starting is the cambelt timing. As it ages, the timing becomes more retarded and the pump just can't pull it in.

So, which part of Gods country are you in? If you're anywhere near me, I can scan your car for you.

First thing in the morning, the engine temp can be lower than the ambient temperature if it was colder overnight. If takes time for that big lump of metal to reach ambient.

Without VCDS, you have no idea what the 'ECU channel' from the CTS is doing, but I would expect it to affect your MPG. The other channel that feeds the dash temp gauge seems to be working OK.

The other thing that affects cold weather starting is the cambelt timing. As it ages, the timing becomes more retarded and the pump just can't pull it in.

Thing is, it's not just in the morning, it did it at 5pm this evening.

I might sound like a tool but where is the CTS located in the engine bay?

Also the mpg is worse than what it was but I put that down to the below than 10c temperatures.

The timing belt was only fitted 5,000 miles ago in August.

I'm in west Cumbria or up t'north as we like to say round here

Edited 12 December, 201114 yr by mdon

Then your Sig is wrong, because as we all know Gods Country is Yorkshire.

Thing is, it's not just in the morning, it did it at 5pm this evening.

I might sound like a tool but where is the CTS located in the engine bay?

Also the mpg is worse than what it was but I put that down to the below than 10c temperatures.

The timing belt was only fitted 5,000 miles ago in August.

How long had the car been sat when you started it at 5.00pm? If all day then that is to be expected.

Poor mpg could be the CTS, or dodgy timing, or even a stuck thermostat (till the engine warms up).

If the timing is out then that would affect starting and could easily affect mpg. Best get the timing checked by someone using VCDS

CTS location:

Then your Sig is wrong, because as we all know Gods Country is Yorkshire.

That's what my grandmother says, she's from Pickering, we still have quite a few family over there.

If the CTS doesnt work I'll look at the thermostat and timing.

Is that photo the right or left of the engine bay?

Edited 12 December, 201114 yr by mdon

Is that photo the right or left of the engine bay?

Right hand end (when viewed from the front): above the clutch/gearbox.

Top of the picture shows the vacuum pump - help you work out where to look.

And take the engine cover off first!

Them two above (^ ^ ^ ^) is right.

I changed mine over, and my glow plug timing went down from 10 seconds to under 1 second.

However, the ignition switch has caused problems. Something I've only just found out after changing the battery, glow plugs and temp sensor. Not cheap.

Replaced the sensor today, it still had the original black one fitted, I remember someone writing somewhere, coolant loss was minimal, yeah right I was in a right flap trying to get the new one in as fast as possible as the water gushed out like niagra falls! My street is now a rust colour with the antifreeze!

Replaced the sensor today, it still had the original black one fitted, I remember someone writing somewhere, coolant loss was minimal, yeah right I was in a right flap trying to get the new one in as fast as possible as the water gushed out like niagra falls! My street is now a rust colour with the antifreeze!

you mucky pup! I changed mine at work and hardly dripped a drop :-)

Don't forget to top up using the right coolant type G12++

you mucky pup! I changed mine at work and hardly dripped a drop :-)

Don't forget to top up using the right coolant type G12++

Well, that might have been a waste of time.

After having the windscreen repaired at a cost of £78 and replacing the sensor and putting some new antifreeze in G12++, someone ran into the front of it while I was putting a new breake light in.

Well, that might have been a waste of time.

After having the windscreen repaired at a cost of £78 and replacing the sensor and putting some new antifreeze in G12++, someone ran into the front of it while I was putting a new breake light in.

Bummer. Much damage? Picture?

What was the persons excuse for running into a stationary car, apart from being a retard?

Bummer. Much damage? Picture?

What was the persons excuse for running into a stationary car, apart from being a retard?

His foot slipped off the break (driving a automatic), mine needs new bumper, headlight, indicator, upper and lower grille, numberplate and it looks a little bent as can't get in the bonnet anymore. I have a few injuries too where the boot came down on my head and the car was pushed back into my kneecap. Hopefully it can be fixed.

His foot slipped off the break (driving a automatic), mine needs new bumper, headlight, indicator, upper and lower grille, numberplate and it looks a little bent as can't get in the bonnet anymore. I have a few injuries too where the boot came down on my head and the car was pushed back into my kneecap. Hopefully it can be fixed.

Oh dear :-(

Maybe yours has developed some strange starting problems as a result of the impact too What sort of speed? I am guessing slow speed?

In all seriousness, as long as you are basically ok that is the main thing, the Octy is pretty strong. Hopefully they won't write the car off, but if they do you could buy it back for a few quid and maybe be onto a winner.

Christ! Not cool! Hope you're OK.

As for changing the sensor, same thing happened to me lol. Savage. Although I was well-prepared- had the new sensor there straight away, plugged in and all!

He was going about 20mph, the car looks ok but I know they say if the repair is more than 50% of the value or something like that and I imagine bumpers lights and grille aren't too cheap.

His little Hyundai was much worse off, it continued on and hit the wall next to my car.

Well, I spoke with the garage today and they say the repairs are just over £1000 inc VAT, and they say it's not a total loss :( I was looking forward to a new car!

Never mind, they say it'll take a few weeks also.

Edited 28 December, 201114 yr by mdon