Starting Issues

[Robertson]

Golf GT TDi mk 4 110. (S plate)

Having some trouble starting in general but worse in 1st start of the day. To me, having not owned a diesel before, it sounds like the battery is nearly flat, but, had the battery checked yesterday, only drove the car less than 1 mile to get there and the guy told me the battery was fine.

So i guess this leads to the starter motor. It's making a scurling noise, not every start but now and again. Is there anyway of knowing for 100% that this is the issue, don't fancy splashing out £125 for a new 1 to find out it's still struggling to start.

Any advise is appreciated, thnx

[gtijames]

i would check the security of the leads and connections, clean earths first

[DeanVRS]

If it does turn out to be the starter, look up a company called GSF. They do an exchange service for refurbished O.E parts. I had a refurbished starter from them, and it was absolutely fine. Only cost about £60 as well.

[cupracraig]

are you getting any fault lights on the dash? or is it literally just struggling to turn over?

[Tuv_GTi]

Could possibly be glow plugs mate. If it takes along time to start. Esspecially if its worse when cold. Does the car crank over for a while and then start?

[Gamble]

Sounds like the starter motor, they do tend to stick sometimes. Could be worth trying a second hand one from a breakers?

Probably not the glow plugs.

Chris

[Robertson]

Cheers for replys fellas. I took the starter motor off and out to a guy who refurbs them, said the brushes were perfect but the solinoid was worn, replaced and it seems to crank over alot better.

Test will be tomorrow morning, fingers crossed it sorts it out.

Still take a good few turns to start tho, seeing a fair amount of bubbles in the fuel line and it could be my imagination but the fuel seems to be going down pretty quickly.............:confused:

[Robertson]

Small update, took the car out to a bloke who stripped the starter motor down, bushes were perfect, but he reconed the soliniod was worn out. replaced it and made a difference.

Also took off the erg valve and intake. had about 15mm of gunge build up round. cleaned out (oh boy, what a messy job) and now feels alittle crisper...

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/godskronos/DSC00578.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/godskronos/DSC00577.jpg

Still convinced i am not gettin good milage. Filled up to the max, have done 100 miles and am just over 2 notches down from full, excuse the dodgy explanation, does this sound about right ?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a214/godskronos/DSC00575.jpg

Oh another question, on starting, you hear a click once the plugs have warmed ? this click ocours well short of the light going out. if i start directly after the click, then i get a good start, if i wait till the light goes out, a lot longer to start. i know you could say, just start once you hear the click., but would if theres a way to remedy this, then would like to sort it out. Cheers

[ian_GTI]

with the glow plugs mate you get a pre glow and a after glow when you here the click that means the pre golw has finished so it will then go 2 after glow and thats about 45% of the heat from the pre glow so start it after you hear the click

try a new set of plugs mate but make sure you get some good ones as cheap ones tend to play up a bit

[Robertson]

Cheers Ian, can you recomend a set ? quite a few brands out there.........

Cheers

[ian_GTI]

oem or bosch mate