Hi,

My 1.6 diesel DSG estate has been a bit iffy to start ever since I've had it.

Problem was, it was only rarely, so I could never recreate it when I wanted, just now and again.

 

You'd turn the key, it would turn over for around 5 seconds then start eventually.

If you stopped before the 5 or so seconds, then tried again, it would start ok the 2nd attempt.

 

Recently I've figured out that the problem seems to occur only when the car is parked on an incline, facing up it.  I've recently started doing this at new job.  If I park facing down, it starts first time.

This is pretty consistently the case, but there has been the occasional exception to this rule.

 

Any suggestions as to why the angle of the car could affect the start up?  Something to do with way the fuel flows with gravity?

Are you giving the glow plug symbol on the dash time to go out before turning the starter?  Does it turn over a bit slowly (fading battery)?  Is the fuel tank level so low that it's affecting the fuel pick up on a slope?

 

The fuel in a diesel flows at high pressure and is injected into the motor; so it's definitely nothing to do with carburettors, floats and gravity.  Sorry I can't be of any more help, but at least it won't be that!

Yep, always wait for glow plug light to go out.

Starter turns over fast.

Battery is strong.

Fuel level makes no difference.

It's only takes a slight slope that does it.

The only other difference is that it's been parked for 8.5 hours when the problem happens I.e at work, and 12 hours over night when it doesn't.

Might be an air leak in the fuel lines, pump seals etc.

Did it again this morning, whilst parked facing up sloped driveway overnight.

 

Skodacarman - does fuel normally remain in the fuel lines when the engine is off?  And would an air leak in the fuel lines cause the fuel to gravity feed back into the tank?  Thereby causing it to take a while to start as it pumps the air through?

 

Would it be possible for a small leak to allow air in, but not fuel out again?  I've not noticed any fuel on the floor.

I get that when the car was doing a regeneration or about too before turned off. Only happens if left stopped for a few hours.

Edited 18 June, 201511 yr by alberg

What's a regeneration?

 

Skodacarman - does fuel normally remain in the fuel lines when the engine is off?  And would an air leak in the fuel lines cause the fuel to gravity feed back into the tank?  Thereby causing it to take a while to start as it pumps the air through?

Fuel should remain in the lines, or the fuel delivery system would have to be primed at every start. If the fuel lines are leaking, you'll get a 'diesely' smell, particularly under the bonnet around the engine bay.

What's a regeneration?

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/237088-can-someone-explain-to-me-regenerations/?fromsearch=1

I would be interested in this post as I have a similar issue with a 2010 1.6CR TDI with 32k miles on the clock. My 12 yr old 110TDI used to start straight away no issues (170k miles), but the 1.6 turns over a lot longer before eventually firing up. It is also a bit juddery/lumpy when taking off in first from junctions at low revs.

 

We also have a Mazda 2 1.4 petrol and it fires up straight away, even after sitting for a week. I have added some Redex diesel cleaner to the tank in the hope that if it is clogged injectors or similar, that this might free it up a bit.