hi folks

intermittent start problem on my 2.5tdi after camshafts and timing belts done.

sometimes it fires on first or 2nd turn in the morning with no white smoke other days 6/7 turns and a puff of white smoke (i assume this is just the unburnt fuel from failed cranks)

seems to start ok (on 2nd turn) when warmed up , but sometimes could take 3 or 4 turns if sitting during the day in work carpark a few times took 6/7 turns and white smoke embarressing when the car looks so good! during the 6/7 turns cranks does not seem to get any slower so seemingly battery is not the issue.

doesnt make any difference if fuel tank is low or full

have replaced temp sensor but no difference. if i remove sensor car always starts in 2 turns then fan comes on.im sure it would be more difficult in winter without this though!

on thing i noticed since new sensor is that interal temp reading seems higher than what would be outside,,today it was reading 26c but i think it was really only 18c outside!

could a new near £35 sensor be duff on purchase?? would this make a difference i wonder?..

battery seems ok 12.5v standing. 14v running and 10.3v during cranking. seems the same voltage during a 2 turn start as a 6/7 turn start mulitmenter stays obove 10v when cranking so not wanting to spend £100 on a new battery just yet! especially after £1500 in new cams,belts and labour.

what is the recommended cranking volts for the v6tdi ?

before all this work car started in a couple of turns, but always took a few turns more in winter.

had car back to garge who say timing is spot on but there 'could be wear' in my fuel pump...had pump scanned by a bosch guy who said pump timing looked ok an no code but mechanic who did cam work could have timing slightly out at the valves?

apart from paying another audi tech to take off the rockers and re-do the work i'm stumped on what it could be

any ideas welcome!