so my 2011 octavia estate 72000 miles has been totaly relaible until recently. if left for more than two days when you turn key, turns over ok (new battery just before xmas) but no attempt to start. red oil can comes up I stop, try again turnover slowed. third time instant start. you can start and stop it all day and fine, next day fine instant on turn of key, leave for three days and sequence starts all over again, any ideas please ?

forgot to say when she starts runs perfectly no dash warning lights

 

1 hour ago, Petescim said:

so my 2011 octavia estate 72000 miles has been totaly relaible until recently. if left for more than two days when you turn key, turns over ok (new battery just before xmas) but no attempt to start. red oil can comes up I stop, try again turnover slowed. third time instant start. you can start and stop it all day and fine, next day fine instant on turn of key, leave for three days and sequence starts all over again, any ideas please ?

You don't say which engine this is, but I'm wondering about fuel draining away from the pump.

Thanks its 2l CR I did wonder as my 50 year old Scimitar takes a while if left when fuel reaches carb away she goes, but thats with mechanical pump wont electrical pump push fuel as soon as ingnition on

8 hours ago, Petescim said:

Thanks its 2l CR I did wonder as my 50 year old Scimitar takes a while if left when fuel reaches carb away she goes, but thats with mechanical pump wont electrical pump push fuel as soon as ingnition on

Now imagine the lift pump having to refill the fuel line before the CR pump gets any fuel.

Error ESP come up ?

So Garage scanned and only fault that came up was engine control relay new one fitted lets see if it cures the problem, typically it started first time while at garage but only left over one night, normally takes 48 hr +

Do you hear the fuel pump in the tank when you switch on the ignition (before cranking) first thing in the morning.

If you do hear it then wait until it stops before cranking. 

Never heard fuel pump must admit, so far she;s been starting since relay change but been used within 24hrs hopefully will try tomorrow after left for three days see what happens.

Left for 3 days seems relay was the problem