Cold Starts

[drc12369]

So its that time of year again and after leaving the car alone for 5 days  or so when i come to start it, it takes a few attempts and upto a minute or two to fire up. So what can i do to improve this? Im fitting new spark plugs Sunday (NGK BUR6ET) so what else can i do to help thats cheap and easy?

[sharki786]

stick a duvet cover on the engine (make sure you remove it when you start the car

[drc12369]

Anybody with anything helpful to say?

[itavaltalainen]

check dizzy cap if moisture is in there, same for cables

check engine temp sensor using an ohm meter (multimeter - 10£ one from b&q/homebase/halfords will do):

it's a dual sender, one goes to your instruments the other to ECU... if it's broken the engine would use a standard value, in cold weather that could cause too little petrol being injected...

if you got a diode test lamp or an oscilloscope (or a cheapish ebay DSO) check if the crank sensor is working when you crank the engine, although this would normally also give you trouble when it's warm.

[sharki786]

you think im having a laugh?
people do that.
its mainly because its nearl enough 0 degs in some areas.

[drc12369]

Im doing the plugs tomorrow, if that doesnt help i might just do the ht leads and dissy cap. Does anybody know the vag part no for a 97 2.0 8v 1H AGG gti dissy cap?

[Christo77]

May not be much help exactly but i've noticed with mine it won't start unless there's sufficient cranking speed, anything below par and it'll spin away no go.. suggest's battery has to be in top order/correct rating as a first port of call (my case) although other usual suspect areas all have a say in the matter probably.

Christo

[drc12369]

It just doesnt seem to like being left for a week and starting in a frost. Id used the car yestetday but it started first time this morning at 9am with a nice thick layer of frost all around.

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

U can get all the parts like dizzy cap etc from GSF

[Len]

or ECP with forum discount!

No car likes standing for long periods as alarm/immobiliser will drain the battery.
If you know you are not going to use the car then disconnect the battery, its very quick and simple to connect up again.

And yes the battery should be in top condition for cold starts.