Hi All

 

I test drove a lovely '07 plate Octavia 1.9 TDi estate today, which is very low mileage and in great condition.

It started fine (gear in neutral and WITHOUT foot on clutch) and drove well.

After driving for around 15-20 mins, I switched off the engine to have a good look round and when I tried to start it again, it sounded like it wanted to start, then died. This happened a few times. The dealer said that you have to depress the clutch before starting it. When he did that, it started fine and he said modern cars have a safety feature whereby you have to depress the clutch before starting.

Might there be a problem as it started easily without pressing the clutch initially. It was only after driving that it wouldn't start without the clutch depressed.

My old '51 plate started without foot on clutch with no problem.

 

I would appreciate any comments,

Many thanks.

 

Could be as simple as the battery is a bit tired and with the drag of the gear box is turning the engine over quick enough to get it going (needs a minimum turn over speed before injecting fuel when warm)

Thanks Anddenton, I hadn't thought of battery.

I don't want there to be an issue, as its a lovely car, but can't help thinking a very low mileage '07 diesel is a bit too good to be true! It also had a new cambelt and water pump at 40,000!!

Be more weary of a really low mileage car than a company owned high mileage car.

 

Very low miles means it has either sat around most of it’s life or done very short trips, both are bad for cars, diesels especially.

 

Cambelts are also every 4 years, so it should have had 2 changes to date, the car is also too old to need the clutch to be depressed to start it (that came in around 2010 IIRC)

 

Can you get the car scanned with VCDS? this will show up any faults.

Petrol or diesel new or old I have always depressed the clutch before turning the ignition key.

 

Less drag for the starter to overcome.

 

If it is good other than that and no codes logged your choice after all.

It doesn't sound like the battery is to blame as you said it started fine for the dealer after you had tried a few times.

 

Warm / hot starting difficulties are not uncommon and in general day to day running should not be too much of an issue.

 

Have you seen the previous mot' s and servicing logs of the vehicle. I do not know if you can get access to these but the current mot should show the last 4 years mileage logs at least, to give you an idea.

How many owners???...................usually a good indicator to me.

How many miles do you call 'very low mileage'?

Thanks everyone.

Its had 1 previous owner, the MOT's show consistent increase in mileage, with no advisory's and it is currently at 46,000 miles.

 

It is safer to start the car with the clutch pedal depressed (for the obvious reasons); but apart from that a de-clutched engine is easier on the starter motor because it doesn't have to spin the clutch driven plate and various bits in the gearbox.  Also, on a fuel injected engine, don't blip the throttle when starting.

2 hours ago, babygoose2004 said:

Thanks everyone.

Its had 1 previous owner, the MOT's show consistent increase in mileage, with no advisory's and it is currently at 46,000 miles.

 

If that is one previous to this dealer, then sounds like everything tallies.

 

Shouldn't be too difficult to contact the previous owner if you have any other concerns.

Most people would be quite happy (I think) to tell you if they would recommend their old car, or not, so long as you are polite.

 

Sounds like a decent find.............

Thanks all - I'll see what an AA inspection comes back with and hopefully fingers crossed.....

Progress report - I just phoned the dealer and he has the car in his workshop. They think the clutch/flywheel might be the problem, which seems strange on a car with only 46,000 on the clock, or am I being over-cautious? What do you think?

 

Thanks again.

22 minutes ago, babygoose2004 said:

Progress report - I just phoned the dealer and he has the car in his workshop. They think the clutch/flywheel might be the problem, which seems strange on a car with only 46,000 on the clock, or am I being over-cautious? What do you think?

 

Thanks again.

If it has a dmf (dual mass flywheel). Problems at the sort of mileage or even earlier are not uncommon. It can also depend on driving characteristics.  If they are fixing it properly I wouldn't let it turn you off if that is the only issue.

 

Some have done a solid flywheel conversion and there is background info (on the nature of the problem and design) in this sticky thread (and others) as well.

 

 

Edited 30 January, 20179 yr by TheClient

Thanks TheClient, useful info.

I didn't notice any excess rattling whilst idling or driving, so hopefully it's not the flywheel. I have 2 kids that are prone to travel sickness, so possible increased engine noise with the smf conversion isn't ideal!

Are starting problems a clue to early flywheel issues?

1 hour ago, babygoose2004 said:

Thanks TheClient, useful info.

I didn't notice any excess rattling whilst idling or driving, so hopefully it's not the flywheel. I have 2 kids that are prone to travel sickness, so possible increased engine noise with the smf conversion isn't ideal!

Are starting problems a clue to early flywheel issues?

It's not the most common symptom. Normally rattling, vibrations, clunking whilst driving etc. are more common and noticed initially. If the flywheel starts to disintegrate or becomes faulty through too excessive play and movement, I suppose it could cause a problem with the ring gear interface to starter motor.

 

 

The car ran smoothly at low and mid speeds, with no noticeable noises.

If I hadn't switched off the engine, then tried to start it again after a minute or so, I wouldn't have even been aware of the starting problem and probably would have signed on the dotted line there and then!

As Gizmo68 said:

On ‎28‎/‎01‎/‎2017 at 13:02, Gizmo68 said:

the car is also too old to need the clutch to be depressed to start it (that came in around 2010 IIRC)

so there is obviously something going on, as it started no problem from cold, it was only after a 20min drive that the starting issue occurred.

If all I have to do is depress the clutch to start, I can live with that, as long as it isn't an early warning sign for something more serious....

It doesn't sound normal operation, so you would want to be comfortable with the cause or better still,  have it resolved before inheriting the problem. Starter motor is another possibility. Normally you'd eliminate the battery and starter motor as first possible causes and then move from there.

Edited 30 January, 20179 yr by TheClient

4 hours ago, babygoose2004 said:

Progress report - I just phoned the dealer and he has the car in his workshop. They think the clutch/flywheel might be the problem, which seems strange on a car with only 46,000 on the clock, or am I being over-cautious? What do you think?

 

Thanks again.

What do they propose to do about it? Is the dealer part of Skoda franchise or VAG group?

 

Are they willing to replace the flywheel and / or clutch?, of which condition of both largely depend on how it has been driven, as opposed to how many miles it has done.

 

How good is the warranty and how reputable is the dealer?

 

My flywheel was replaced by the seller / garage as agreed upon sale, although the work was requested by myself to be completed by Skoda specialist.

 

On ‎30‎/‎01‎/‎2017 at 12:46, TheClient said:

It doesn't sound normal operation, so you would want to be comfortable with the cause or better still,  have it resolved before inheriting the problem. Starter motor is another possibility. Normally you'd eliminate the battery and starter motor as first possible causes and then move from there.

 

The dealer got back to me today to say they think it might be the starter motor. He's going to ring me tomorrow, so will have some more news then.

If the car started from cold OK, but wouldn't start after 20mins driving unless the clutch was depressed, does that fit with starter motor issues?

Sorry to sound so ill-informed - you are all being so helpful, thanks.

I would suggest the battery is tired especially if it is the original one, the engine needs to reach a certain speed when warm before fuel is injected (300 rpm iirc), this only applies when the engine is warm and not cold,

If a battery dose not cure it then look at the starter motor.