Takes a wile to start.

[stainesy]

I have noticed my gti takes a wile to start sometime.
1 out of ever 5 times I start it. It turns over and takes a good few seconds before it starts and other times it starts instantly.

What could be the reasons for this?

[16valver dan]

starter on its way out?

[Bandit127]

starter on its way out?

If it is the same as mine it's not the starter. Mine normally fires up within (I guess) half a second or a couple of revs of the motor. However, on some mornings it can take a couple - maybe 5 seconds of turning before it fires. The starter turns at the normal rate. When it does fire it is as crisp as normal - not misfiring or stumbling in to life.

Any restarts during the day are then the  usual quick starts. 

My current theory is that fuel is sometimes dropping back down from the rails and it is taking a while for the pumps to get it back up and pressurised.

[Itteh]

I'm not a professional in giving car advice, but i had the same problem too... it would start some times and it wouldn't start sometimes. My starter motor was worn out as soon as i got a reconditioned one for £50 with a years guarantee.. i haven't had the problem since.

[stainesy]

Sometimes it starts on the button but sometimes it takes abit of turning over for about 5 seconds and when it does start its not a crisp start it's not like a hard bang it's started it's a lazey start like you don't feel it and it takes a second then I rev it and it's good.

[GTIANNIVERSARY16V]

My starters on its way out.....been making a scraping noise for over 2 years now........when it goes, ill put one in lol

[Bandit127]

Sometimes it starts on the button but sometimes it takes abit of turning over for about 5 seconds and when it does start its not a crisp start it's not like a hard bang it's started it's a lazey start like you don't feel it and it takes a second then I rev it and it's good.

Sounds like it might be ignition then. Perhaps the HT leads - they tend to go like that. Easy to check on cold leads with a meter - do that before you start it in the morning.

Expect around 3k ohms for a good lead. Anything over 10k is breaking down and needs to be replaced.

[stainesy]

Sometimes it starts on the button but sometimes it takes abit of turning over for about 5 seconds and when it does start its not a crisp start it's not like a hard bang it's started it's a lazey start like you don't feel it and it takes a second then I rev it and it's good.

Sounds like it might be ignition then. Perhaps the HT leads - they tend to go like that. Easy to check on cold leads with a meter - do that before you start it in the morning.

Expect around 3k ohms for a good lead. Anything over 10k is breaking down and needs to be replaced.

leads are brand new mate. and i dont matter if the car is hot or cold. some cold mornings it does it and some it dont. also can do it after a long drive and sometimes it dont.

[Bandit127]

I am running out of answers on this so I hope someone else can get your problem sorted.

My last try on your problem (based on experience) is to do a compression test for a suspect head gasket. I hope that is not the cause though.

Good luck and let us know if you get it sorted.

[Gavv8]

The hot weather can sometimes cause the fuel to vaporise in the lines so it can take a few seconds to pressurize again.