1.4 SE Cold start issues..

[madhouse]

Hello, we recently got a 1997 1.4 SE and it seems a bit of a nightmare to start from cold, a lot of turning over then fires, ok on tick over but tries to die when you give a squeeze on the throttle, but coughs and clears.

Seems ok once it's been run a minute or so.

Any thoughts guys??

Are these single point injection? Have a cold start valve? Temperature sensor issue? Engine is standard except for a full Remus system, it passed it's MOT in july ok so in theory should be running ok.

Apart from the above it is low on fuel (not filled it since we bought it, and it's on the red) so maybe sucked some crap up from the tank?  But saying that it runs ok when warm so maybe not 

Ta in advance

Mark.

[adamrob69]

what year is it? and what engine code? the later 1.4s use multipoint injection, and suffer from the dirrty Throttle body problem, which could be causing the problem.

But.. the early 1.4s are single point and is injected at the top of the throttle body so it doesnt really get dirty

....Just noticed its a 97 model! in which case its almost certainly multipoint inject. AEX engine code as a gues. If so, take the airbox off to reveal the throttle body, and you should see around the butterfly valve and in that cylindar it will be dirty. It needs to be sparkling silver! just take it off and give it a good clean, i used some redex stuff and gave it a good scrub.

[madhouse]

1997 - not sure on engine code haven't really had time to have a good nosey yet. It could well be a single point judging by standard VW "pancake" type airfilter and hose jobbie.

Might whip it off and have a look, see if it looks gummed up.

There's been suggestion of the temperature sensor near the thermostat housing which can cause cold running problems 

[adamrob69]

could be that, but cleaning the throttle body doesnt cost anythink and will improve running if nothing else! it might solve the problem it might not, deffo worth doing tho.

if its a sensor then get it on vagcom that will flag up an issue if there is a problem

[Rmachines]

Yours is an AEX Motronic Multi Point,  usualy reliable starters so i would try the TB first if not could be a sensor.

[adamrob69]

bit off topic but does anyone know why they changed the 1.4s and 1.6s to multipoint? Theres no speed or power benifits, just the same as the single point? and they left the 1.8 as single. Just seems a bit weird to me!

[Rmachines]

the Multi point is a bit quicker,  has more torque and tonnes better throttle responce,  but also emissions are better controlled and its more efficent.  Also the actual engines them selfs are better on the later ones,  they are very similar but all the AE Series were made to give more torque than the ABD engines.   the AEX And AEE 1.4/1.6 was from the polo and did actualy run Single point but when they were fitted to the golfs ibiza and skoda in 95 they were all changed to multi point.  The down side to these engines is they suffer from worn piston skirts which cause piston slap. usualy only when cold but they can start knocking heavily if they wear out.  doesnt cause a problem but sounds a bit gash. 

The 1.8 engines were all tall block, its the same block as the 2.0L and 16v  the 1.8 is the only single point tall block used, the rest were all MPI 2.0L  Sadly the fuel system on the 1.8 is absolutly rubbish and only gives 75bhp on the later engines when the short blocks changed to multi point they fitted a diffrent fuel system to the 1.8 which was 90bhp and had more torque. 

So... there is little engine history for ya 

[adamrob69]

i think mine has that 'piston slap'. well it has a sorta ticking/knocking noise noticebly loud when cold, and audible when putting your foot down once warm. Is it something i should be worried about? quick fix?

[Rmachines]

Knocking under acceleration     Yea the only fix is an engine overhaull with new pistons but its not somthing to worry about untill its so loud you can bearly stand it.  By which time the piston would have given up slapping the wall and cracked.    Mine did 200,000 miles and 50,000 of them was with heavy knocking.   Keep up with oil changes, use good oil, dont rag the engine when cold and add a good engine protector to help it along.  other than that its something you have to put up with . 

[madhouse]

Well as a bit of an update - a full tank of Shell V-Power and all seems well, maybe it just needed a run, and some decent juice through it, either way - so far so good