Help with cold starting problem 1.4

[Only 1.4]

My N reg 1.4 is suffering from cold starting problems, been fine during the cold snap, always started fine hot or cold but now in the last week or so It refuses to start from cold, getting a good spark, but you need to pump the accelorater alot to get it to catch, any ideas ??

[Rmachines]

Pumping the throttle does not help,  But pressing it fully down might the throttle position sensor senses this, if it starts with full throttle that is putting the ECU into anti flood mode, although there isnt one as such on the motronic systems.

Next time, try holding it fully down and not pumping,  pumping has no effect on an injection engine, if that helps,  i would say its likely overfueling but with these injection systems its most likely a dirty throttle body, check the crank case vent system isnt pusshing gunk into the throttle body, its going to be something silly like that i recon.

[CM690]

Pumping the throttle does not help,  But pressing it fully down might the throttle position sensor senses this, if it starts with full throttle that is putting the ECU into anti flood mode, although there isnt one as such on the motronic systems.

Next time, try holding it fully down and not pumping,  pumping has no effect on an injection engine, if that helps,  i would say its likely overfueling but with these injection systems its most likely a dirty throttle body, check the crank case vent system isnt pusshing gunk into the throttle body, its going to be something silly like that i recon.

The 1.4's didn't have injection or at least... mine doesn't

[Bellend]

Pumping the throttle does not help,  But pressing it fully down might the throttle position sensor senses this, if it starts with full throttle that is putting the ECU into anti flood mode, although there isnt one as such on the motronic systems.

Next time, try holding it fully down and not pumping,  pumping has no effect on an injection engine, if that helps,  i would say its likely overfueling but with these injection systems its most likely a dirty throttle body, check the crank case vent system isnt pusshing gunk into the throttle body, its going to be something silly like that i recon.

The 1.4's didn't have injection or at least... mine doesn't

Early 1.4's and SOME 1.6's and all the 1.8's had a SPI unit and had longer block engines.

Later 1.4's and 1.6's had MPi and short block engines used in the Polo.

 

[Rmachines]

Yes they are all Injection,  early tall block and short blocks are single point,  later short block and cross flow tall block is Multi point.

[Only 1.4]

Thanks for the responses, how do I find out the engine code, gearbox code etc as I have seen a workshop manual cd for sale on ebay but it states check your engine model code along with gearbox etc before ordering ? Rmachines thanks for the tip on checking for gunk, and dirty throttle body, as last year at mot time the tester struggled to get the emissions down, perhaps be able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone hopefully, if it stops it overfuelling.

[Rmachines]

There will be a sticker in the boot under the carpet with the engine code, as well as in the owners manual and stamped on the engine.   Gearbox will be stamped on it somewhere.

Could be something as small as the Engine coolant temp sensor, very common failure and about £12 to fix, takes 2 mins to swap it.  Also 02 sensors etc.. will effect emissions and fueling.


If you can come back to us with the engine code im sure we can advise a bit further on common issues causing your problems for the particular engine.

[Only 1.4]

Rmachines, I will have a look under the carpet for the engine number, no users manualto look through though, were is the coolant temp sensor mounted ? Is it the same as the one for the coolant temp for the dash display or is there another one for the engine management ? I will post the engine code when I have had a look.
Thanks for your help.

[Rmachines]

Hi, it is a 4 pin,  two seperate lines one for ECU and one for Temp gauge, but the same sensor,  its on the right side of the head where the coolant pipes go into the plastic flange.

[Only 1.4]

Rmachines, looked under the boot carpet, Engine code AEX if I remember correctly car is not at home at the moment stored round inlaws till its sorted. I will have a look at the temp sensor, so it is 4 pin connection, but the temp gauge appears to work perfectly ? Someone else has also mentioned that it could be coolant sensor playing up, Is the main dealer part, or is it possible to get OEM sensors off the net , any recommendations ?
Thanks