Hard Start (long)

[Paul S.]

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Hello Mr. Tapp,

I had a similar problem in Montreal's winters on my '86 5KTQ, twice. I did =
not analyse it enough to observe a -15 deg C dependency, but both times it =
happened in winter.
An Audi garage replaced my starter and the battery as it was depleted after=
 the repeated cranking attempts. The problem was not cured.
An independent mechanic, trained in Europe, diagnosed the problem by phone =
- STICKING CHECK VALVE ON THE FUEL PUMP, allegedly common occurrence on the=
 Audis. His repair worked.
During the malfunction, it took between 15 and 30 minutes for the poppet to=
 unstick and allow the free flow.
I am not sure here, but I might have read somewhere, that one can hasten th=
e check valve's return into the working condition by releasing the fuel pre=
ssure at the warm-up regulator, but this MIGHT BE UNSAFE ON THE HOT ENGINE.

As the replacement goes, it is an easy DOY task. However, do yourself or to=
 your mechanic a favor. Let the car sit overnight in a heated garage to war=
m-up and do the replacement with no more than 1/5 full tank. Cold gaz is to=
ugh on the finger knuckles.

Good luck,
Paul Stefanik

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Thought I might try posting this question as I've had no luck fixing
the problem to date. My 87 TQ avant has been a wonderful car - I've
owned it for 12 years now and have made every effort to keep it in
top notch condition, so far it still looks and runs like new. There
is however one problem that I've never succeeded in correcting, and
the problem has been present in the car since I bought it back in
90/91. As most will know we are experiencing a very cold winter this
year in central Canada and in this type of weather my car is almost
useless - here's what it does! Car will start on even the coldest
days -30/35 C =3D to -25/30F, runs well but if you stop 15 or minutes
after start up it will not restart without cranking for 10 to 15
minutes. This only happens when the temp is below - 15C. Example, I
leave work drive about 5 kilometres pull into a gas station fill the
tank car will not restart or even try - there is spark, the fuel pump
runs, there is fuel pressure but it refuses to start! Once the temp
goes above -15C the problem disappears - runs fine, starts fine. Hope
someone can help -

A thanks to the list for other very helpful tips re: driveshaft
centre support and replacement shocks.

John Paul Tapp
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