Re: Cold start problem...

[t.p.gladczenko@geologi.uio.no]

liju@travelin.com wrote:
>
> Hey guys:
>
> I've been experiencing a severe cold start problem for a while now. My mechanc
> says "its just the cold weather", but i think it might be something else.
>
> When I start up each morning, the engine turns like its never going to start
> when I let go of the key the engine sort of reluctantly fires up. Every once
> a great while it will just start up without any hesitation.
>
> The thing that puzzles me is that if I start it up within about 45 mins. of
> shutting it off it starts up with no problem. Any thoughts on what it could

Had a similar problem on my 87 80q (K-Jetronic). Traced it to the injectors 
finally:

1) One or more spark plugs would be moist (with gas) after the car stood
for a while (like more than 1 hour). The intake valve has to be open 
for the gas to seep down onto the spark plug - check all plugs.

2) Cranked the cold engine manually (use a 19 mm socket or push the car in 4/5
gear - disconect ignition cable between coil and distributor) so that
each cylinder would get at least one exhaust stroke (made that 8 full
revolutions of the flywheel). Car started perfectly afterwards.

3) Took all injectors out (easy on my engine) and let them sit in a plastic
bag overnight. In the morning the engine fired up perfectly.

4) Driving the car at max revs only minutes before shutting the engine off,
would usually lead to perfect starting the next day. Injectors were cleaned
by full fuel flow, I've been told. 

By this time I had few doubts what the problem was. Getting new ones from
Bosch (half price of Audi dealer) sure solved the problem.

I've been told that poor fuel filter maintainance (previous owners) 
may have been the culprit.

tadeusz

87 80q 1.8
83 80 (RIP)