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Poor starting

I have 1999 VW polo 1.9 diesel, which when the weather is frosty will not start without pre-heating several times and even then the starter sounds as if it is not turning the engine correctly.

Once the weather picks up it is a lot better starting after the normal pre-heat. I have replaced the temp control unit and also the glow plug relay unit no 103 VW tell its a fault in the wiring harness in the drivers door they when you put the key in the lock to un-lock thr car it should send a signal to start pre-heating the glow plugs.

I think it maybe the starter motor breaking down when really cold ie frosty, now I have found 1 of the injectors is leaking from where is mounted is there a washer does it screw or plug in.

Asked on 2 January 2011 by paulenski

Answered by Alan Ross
Your two problems my be related.

Firstly the starting problem. i.e pre-heat. I would not think that it is the starter motor.

You need to ensure that the battery is 100% as sometimes a poor battery will operate ok in the warmer temps but not in severe cold.

If your battery is not turning the engine over fast enough,then the fuel pump cannot generate enough fuel pressure to activate the start of injection, which results in hard starting problems.

As for the injector leaking, are you getting what appears to be "black tar" from around the seat,and also a chuffing sound?

If so then this could also have an effect on starting and needs to be rectified asap as it could cause serious damage to the engine in the long run.

We do not have specific details of each and every car so cannot answer the last part of your question (washer)
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