Just after doing a bit of research on this and apparently its a common problem. I have a '06 2.0TFSi which takes a few extra turns to start from cold, this morning it made me think it wasn't going to go at all! It starts without any problems once heated though. I've checked the battery at the local motor factors and their machine showed that it was good. 

 

They did mention it was possibly the plugs and to get it checked out. So here I am, any information or thoughts on this? Are they that bad on cold starts that you nearly doubt your car every morning you sit in?

One possible cause suggested was the intake ports getting gunged up over time but since mine have been cleaned it's still a slow starter from cold.

I've just got used to it.

unless you checked it first thing--with the car stood all night you may not get a TRUE result

I've actually found my normal spluttery start actually a bit better since it's been cold!

 

If you search there are various postings on  this issue on the 2.0tfsi, could be coking/carbon build up, could be fuel pump, could be coil pack, could be something else. 

 

I've decided to just live with it

 

Marc

Thanks for the replies guys, I can rule out the coil packs as they were replaced under warranty by the local dealer before I bought the car. The battery is still a possibility but I have no way of testing it straight off on a cold morning.

 

Looks like something I'm stuck with for now, seen as I'm only after buying the car I'll be giving it a full service after Christmas. Would you advise I keep the FSH thats with it at the moment or been as I've serviced previous cars, take a pop at it myself?

 

Oil, filters & plugs?

Edited 13 December, 201312 yr by Guest

Don't take this the wrong way but if your cars a manual are you starting your car properly ?. I.e clutch pressed to the floor, no gas pedal and just turn the key..

Yeah, always have the clutch pressed actually. Force of habit at this stage!

Ok just checking out of curiosity, was gonna mention that if you might have flooded the engine then just keep the gas peddle on the floor as well. Hope you get to the bottom of the problem..:-)

Battery ok?

 

They have far more trouble cranking when they're colder.

Fly-by-wire throttle, you can't flood it.

 

2006 model won't need you to depress the clutch to start either, certainly my 2007 doesn't.

 

Plugs should have been changed a few times by this age. Might be worth checking back service receipts etc if you have them.

 

Battery is probably the main culprit, it might still be good enough it's just having to work a bit harder in winter.

I doubt I NEED to press the clutch but it's just force of habit now, coming from a diesel I always thought it had a smoother start when I pressed it.

The plugs were changed around 12k km ago so they will be changed again after Xmas when I give it the next full service! Battery was showing as good, but like someone said I should really try and test it when cold.

Force of habit that i still put the clutch to the floor when starting my car, guess it goes back to the days of my old MG and twin choke SU's, or Ford's with Webers..

2006 model won't need you to depress the clutch to start either, certainly my 2007 doesn't.

 

 

Handbook for my 57 plate VRS still says to depress the clutch when starting so I do it anyway :-)