Well herein is a sorry tale...

My tdi (W reg 110) just popped over the 120k mile mark, so needed it's cambelt doing. My main dealer price was a bit more than I can afford right now (and it's an expensive job) so I got my local mr clutch to do it. What a mistake! The car was running absolutely fine before I took it there, no probs whatsoever... Anyway, took the car in at 8.30am, it was done at about 5.30pm, and when I got in to drive it away from the garage, it wouldn't start!

Well, sparky comes out from the garage and sprays some carb cleaner in the air intake and it splutters into life. Apparently "it's normal - we did the full service and so replaced the fuel filter - you get air in it at first and they don't start too well to begin with. It should be fine by the time you get home, you just need to let the air get out of the system." - OK, if you say so...

Next morning, it won't start! Actually, that's not quite true, it does start but only after a good 45 seconds of turning over and generally spluttering, all the while kicking all kinds of crap out of the exhaust. Yuk. Phone the garage and they said "must be a fault with the fuel filter - bring it in" - good job I've got time to do that! Take it in, they replace the filter, fanny about checking the cables looking for air leaks (they can see a few bubbles in the clear pipe coming out of the filter) - none found. Engine starts with some prompting with carb cleaner... "it should be fine now mate". Go away for a week's holiday in my wife's car, leave the Octy at home. Got back Friday morning - what a surprise, takes ages to start. I've lived with it all weekend so far but it's clearly still not right. It starts fine once warmed up, but takes literally 45-60 seconds of cranking (and smoking) to fire if it's been left to stand for any more than 2 hours.

Before I take it back to them tomorrow, anyone got any ideas? Are they right about the fuel filter and bubbles etc.? I've had my car (and previous ones) serviced by plenty of other people and never had problems with them starting after a service.

And secondly, if it's not the fuel filter - what else could they have cocked up during the service that would stop it from firing properly when cold but would let it start fine when warmed up? Oh and once started it goes fine, no lack of power or flat spots or anything else. No noticeable mpg drop either.

Any clues that might help me when I go back tomorrow would be most gratefully received!

Cheers all - Jules

Sounds like the fuel pump timing is out to me, did they check the pump timing dynamically with diagnostic equipment after they had changed it?

Dealer may have been a bit more pricey, but we do know what we are doing, Mr Clutch clearly do not.

if they have done the cambelt, could be that they havent timed it up properly, maybe a tooth out, enough to not start very well but still run ok

Souds like the pump timing to me as well.

Thanks for the pointers guys - I'll give them a buzz now and see what they can work out. Lesson learnt - don't use Mr Clutch!