Golf Mk3 1.9Td difficult to start

[Alex@POD]

Hi all,

My 1.9td Golf Mk3 (AAZ engine) is difficult to start when there is very little fuel in it. It turns over for a little while before catching and running fine. When the tank is full it isn't as easy as it should be, but a lot quicker nonetheless.

I had a similar problem with a 2.0di Vauxhall Astra, on which I replaced the glow plugs before taking it to a specialist when the problem didn't improve. Just by talking about it, he told me it would be the injector return pipes letting air in, causing fuel to drip back through the line to the tank. Once pressure tested, he replaced the faulty ones and the car started fine after that.

Is this a common occurence on the VW's engine? I'd rather ask first than take it to an expensive specialist for no reason...

Worth adding: the accessory belt will need changing as it squeals for a bit when cold. This may contribute as I can feel a definite step in power when it stop squealing.

[Steve_D]

Had similar with a Pug 306 which turned out to be the seal to the fuel filter housing. Not a big enough leak to let fuel out but enough to let air in a fuel to drain back overnight.
If you engine has a fuel primer bulb try pumping that up before the start. If the engine starts fine then you will be on the way to finding the culprit.

Steve

[Alex@POD]

Nothing to prime it with unfortunately! I'm going to change the filter as I was about to do it anyway (ran quite low recently so it may have picked up a fair bit of crap), see if that improves anything!