My 2007 1.9tdi has been slightly hesitant in starting lately ... always turns over fine, but it just feels hesitant, and starts within a second or two.

 

This morning I came out (car is parked around the side of my house in the open) and this time as I turned it over, there was a bit of a lull / gap and it then started - but the battery warning light came on, accompanied by a beeping sound.

 

After 3 seconds or so, that went off and the light went out, and all was fine.

 

Car has been parked @ work all day in an undercover car park (so in the warm and dry) ... with a work colleague waiting in case I needed a jump start, the car started just fine ..

 

Going to run a multimeter across the terminals tomorrow morning, just to see what it gives .. but I'm guessing the cranking amperage, especially in the cold mornings isn't up to it ?  I'm not sure of the age of the battery, it was in there when I purchased the car - so worst case scenario it could potentially be 9 years old.

 

It has a clear plastic window on the top of the battery, with supposedly a green dot in the circle if it's fine - but I can't see it ..

 

Thoughts ?

 

A quick search seems to indicate that the Varta battery is the preferred one, so that's the one I'll be getting I'm guessing

Edited 21 November, 20169 yr by Cornish_Lad

Varta and Bosh batteries are the same under the stickers so buy whichever's cheapest/ on offer that's the correct spec.

Cold will kill off a battery. Eurocarparts have their blackfriday code on the go at the moment.

http://www.justcarbatteries.co.uk/s5008-bosch-silver-096-battery.html

Some times, old batteries fail because over the years the electrolyte has evaporated and fallen too low inside the case.  Sometimes 'maintenance free' just means 'we stuck some tape over the inspection plugs'.

 

Have a look at the top of the battery case. 

 

Has it got a tape running along the top, and can you feel the outline of the six filler plugs beneath it? 

 

Rip off the tape, and open the plugs by unscrewing them with a broad-bladed screw driver. 

 

Can you see the tops of the lead plates clear of the battery acid?  If so, top up each cell with deionised/distilled water (rain water or freezer defrost is fine) so that it just covers the tops of the plates.

 

Now take the car for a spin, or hook it up to a trickle (1 Amp) charger overnight.

 

Should now be good for a few more years.

Edited 22 November, 20169 yr by skodacarman

The MkII Octavia gets very finicky when it's battery begins to fail.

 

For the sake of £70 it isn't worth investigating too much, get a new one.

 

As already mentioned the Varta E44 is a brilliant battery (size 096), it is the Bosch S5 in disguise (and often cheaper as a result)...

 

£66 delivered from here...

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Type-096-Varta-Silver-E44-Heavy-Duty-Car-Battery-77AH-SIZE-096-mercedes-/272447124063?hash=item3f6f1d325f:g:hOEAAOSwPe1T22Ui

Edited 22 November, 20169 yr by silver1011

Ok, bit of an update for you all.

 

Managed to check the battery today with a multimeter, and at rest it shows 12.24 volts (jumping slightly to 12.74 volts immediately after the engine has been switched off).

 

With the engine running, it's showing 14.2x volts ... all of the above I'm assuming are in the standard range ?

The battery is an Akuma Branded one, 12v 61Ah 330A DIN. Guessing that means it outputs a crank voltage of 61Amps ... which compared to the Varta / Bosch one which gives out 77 Amps maybe a bit on the low side ?

 

The indicator window shows a green indicator (visible once I cleaned the dust off it) ...

 

I've had no problems since, but like others have noted on here, it seems hesitant in starting from cold.

 

As all is well at the moment, I'm going to leave it until it fails completely, or something else fails ...

 

Appreciate all the replies so far though folks - great forum indeed.

Those voltages look ok, but don't mean you aren't developing a deep load failure.

 

Alternatively you may have weakening glowplug(s)? Do you get white/grey smoke that smells of diesel immediately after it fires?

Those voltages look ok, but don't mean you aren't developing a deep load failure.

 

Alternatively you may have weakening glowplug(s)? Do you get white/grey smoke that smells of diesel immediately after it fires?

 

No, car is smoke free.  Get the occasional puff of smoke when accelerating at speed, but nothing at start up.

Forgot to mention that both battery terminals were clean, but dry as in no copper ease or other grease on them at all's

Considering rectifying that later ..

The terminals are supposed to clean and dry - not greased.

Ah ok - I've learnt something new there then. I've always routinely smeared some grease over the battery terminals historically thinking it was the right thing to do

The terminals are supposed to clean and dry - not greased.

 

 

Ah ok - I've learnt something new there then. I've always routinely smeared some grease over the battery terminals historically thinking it was the right thing to do

What Denis says is correct in principle; I was always taught to clean the terminals, fasten them, and then put a smear of grease on the earth post to keep it dry.

Edited 25 November, 20169 yr by KenONeill

Petroleum jelly (vaseline) is the preferred barrier to prevent the lead battery posts/lead connections from oxidizing.

Applied on top of the connection to prevent moisture ingress between the two.

Those voltages look ok, but don't mean you aren't developing a deep load failure.

 

Alternatively you may have weakening glowplug(s)? Do you get white/grey smoke that smells of diesel immediately after it fires?

 

I would not discount the possibility one or two of the 4 glowplugs having packed up, but in my experience you might not get any white smoke with just one gone, or much of a problem starting even on a cold morning.  With two gone you are likely to get longer cranking time, lumpy running for a few seconds as the two cold cylinders catch up with the warm two.  My sons 1.9 vectra recently failed to start on frosty mornings.  When I took it to get the glow plugs changed, none of them were working!  I could only start the car from a jump start, and much white smoke!  If your symptoms worsen in the way described, suspect another glow plug might have gone, and get them checked out.  I don't know what access to the glow plugs is like on your model, but if it is a frosty morning I have successfully tested for a dead glowplug by piling some frost scraped from the freezer around the base of the plugs and observing which melted when the ignition was turned on!  If they are the sort with a pull off plug or easy access for disconnecting, then take a substantial enough wire from battery live and touch the terminal top.  If it sparks its OK.  If not, not.

 

Hope this helps,   NeilTM

Ok, bit of an update for you all.

 

Managed to check the battery today with a multimeter, and at rest it shows 12.24 volts (jumping slightly to 12.74 volts immediately after the engine has been switched off).

 

With the engine running, it's showing 14.2x volts ... all of the above I'm assuming are in the standard range ?

The battery is an Akuma Branded one, 12v 61Ah 330A DIN. Guessing that means it outputs a crank voltage of 61Amps ... which compared to the Varta / Bosch one which gives out 77 Amps maybe a bit on the low side ?

 

The indicator window shows a green indicator (visible once I cleaned the dust off it) ...

 

I've had no problems since, but like others have noted on here, it seems hesitant in starting from cold.

 

As all is well at the moment, I'm going to leave it until it fails completely, or something else fails ...

 

Appreciate all the replies so far though folks - great forum indeed.

I think that may be the original battery.

 

It is the same as the one I have in my shed, taken from the Octavia a few years ago. Replaced with an S5.

 

And your car is two years newer than mine.

 

I would recommend getting it tested using a modern digital tester. (If) When you go, leave the engine running (lock with your spare key in the lock). It needs good charge to test, and the alternator can be checked, too.

I think you will need a new one sooner rather than later, but if you have it tested it may save you breaking down somewhere.

Edited 8 December, 20169 yr by Tilt

12.2 is a bit on the low side really. As its an older basic battery id recomend getting it checked over.

The 61ah is amp hour. If it was being drained at 1amp per hour it would take 61hrs to fully die. Cca is cold cranking amps, this is the oomph which kicks your starter motor into life.

As with most things, when replacing get the highest ah and cca you can afford but dont buy a leisure battery

Also 30% off this weekend at Euro Car Parts, code WEEKEND 30. See which one has the cheaper make of battery you want, once the discount is taken off.  

Just thought I would give a follow up to this ...

 

I've soldiered on with the current battery, but it has been getting noticeably worse, especially with the recent cold snap.  Last week I was away in London for 5 days with the family, so car was left at home on the driveway unused.  Thought I would start it up today, in readiness for my return to work on Wednesday, and guess what .... it wouldn't turn over at all :(

So I took the plunge, and purchased a Bosch S4 (096) from Euro Car Parts with some hefty discount I managed to wangle in the process.  Brought it home and fitted it this afternoon.  Initially a bit worried, as the Bosch was slightly longer than the old battery coming out ... but worry not - it fitted just fine.  Reconnected both terminals and hey presto ... what a difference  It was almost as it the Octavia had rocket fuel in ... it started on the turn of the key .. no hesitation at all.  Should have done it a long time ago ..

 

Took the car for a short drive, as power steering light was on - but that went out after 50 yards or so.

 

So - a big thanks to all who posted.  All the advice was spot on (as expected) and first class.