96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Wed 20 Sep 2006 20:26
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - bigman2
I have a 96 VW Golf 1.9D (it is not a turbo diesel). A few weeks ago the car began to give problems when starting. It will fire up but then gradually the revs fall and it turns off. After starting it a few times and reving above 2K for about 30 seconds it begins to behave as normal and has no problems. Once warm it starts fine and never gives any bother and runs fine all day long. The problem is always when starting, after the car has been parked for 12+ hours or so.

I had the glow-plugs changed yesterday but it is still giving the same problem.

The only other thing that I have not changed for a while is the fuel filter.

Please does anyone know what else it could be. Thanks in advance.


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 21 Sep 2006 17:39
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - Big John
Sounds like an air leak causing the Diesel to run back into the tank. It must be starting initially on what is left in the pump. Check all the low pressure Diesel pipes and the filter. (Also the small rubber injector scavange pipes&cap -if fitted)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 21 Sep 2006 17:57
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - Number_Cruncher
Sounds like an air leak causing the Diesel to run back into the tank.


I agree.

Although this is cheating, one way to quickly check the system is to take the fuel cap off, and, using a rag to make a bit of a seal, blow a little air into the tank - you aren't looking to build much pressure at all*. While you do this, get an assistant to check for fuel spurting out of the low pressure pipework, filter, and leak off pipes. I have used this method a few times, when the leak wasn't obvious.

As you are only using a rag, there isn't much chance of building any serious pressure - you just need enough to encourage fuel to flow out of the leak, rather than for air to be sucked in, which doesn't leave any trace!

Number_Cruncher


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 21 Sep 2006 18:28
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - Peter D
If you have a priming buld or manaul pump use this 20 times then start if OK then you have air entering the system not necessarily fuel leaking out so can be difficult to find the leak. Regards Peter
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 22 Sep 2006 12:27
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - Big John
Good tip N_C, never would have thought of that one!


B.J.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 22 Sep 2006 16:20
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - bigman2
Thanks for all the replies.

The car was due for a service and MOT yesterday. As part of the service the fuel filter was changed. This morning the car started fine without any problem.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 22 Sep 2006 17:37
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - AndyT
Strange, usually it's the other way round with fuel filters. ie, they usually leak air when new, if the fit isn't exact.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 22 Sep 2006 22:58
96 VW Golf 1.9D starting problem - Railroad.
Something that's worth checking on this:

I've had a few of these with the fuel filter canister actually cracked, and therefore allowing air into the fuel system. This was caused by overtightning of the fuel filter bracket. It would be very difficult, if not impossible to spot in situ, so it may be worth removing it to check......
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance