Poor Start after few Days Standing ...Altea

[V40TC]

Had a similar issue on an old Mercedes c class
sorted with a one way valve in Fuel line near injection pump.

[chammyman]

Glow plugs won't make any difference unless of course the cars in Siberia.

Fuel filter housing corrodes and lets air in.

How is it when it actually runs, is it smooth and how does it smell? If diesely the timing will be off and need sorted. Very common issue and causes a lot of faults like hard starting.

[arnie187]

When running it seems perfect. Been starting like a dream all week. Till just now cranked and cranked and cranked then started.. cheers for all the info .I've read somewhere about the flywheel needing a certain rpm before it injects fuel .could it be starter motor I know it's not the typical symptoms of a failing starter. Or could it be software problem .
Other than, this once every now and then, starting issue . the car does not miss a beat.
I have a little rust on fuel filter lid. If it is letting air in would it be more routine so to speak.as this is very intermittent.

Cheers again for plethora of information

Just received the new fuel filter a bosch one , i noticed the oring on the bosch one seems a lot thicker, than the Wix filter oring, will swap them over tomorrow after work

Edited by arnie187 on Wednesday 8th November 21:06

[chammyman]

Software just call the dealer and ask if theres a software update due.

Its not so much cranking speed as rail pressure. It will still start if theres healthy fuel pressure but a lethargic starter. 200rpm cranking and around 300 bar fuel pressure min ideally.

However lower speed means lower rail pressure..

[Elrikos]

I know the 1.9 had a cold start low rpm issue where there was no fuel map for that condition. In my case you could hear the starter getting quicker and quicker over a few seconds, then it would start and run perfectly.
New starter sorted my issue out. It was the Bkc engine though so unlikely to be connected to your problem

[arnie187]

Is there a way i can check starter, to see it's up to the job.really need to pin point the problem down , so i'm not just replacing things in hope, Spoke to Seat Birmingham today ,about software updates, There is a ecu update outstanding on my car , its for the ABS that's all she could tell me .

Edited by arnie187 on Thursday 9th November 20:06

[paintman]

There's a comment by V40TC earlier in the thread.
I had a similar issues to yours a little while ago with my Mercedes Sprinter which took a while to track down but was a fuel draining back overnight issue. Once started would be fine for the rest of the day.
Turned out to be a small valve in the fuel line that fits on top of the fuel filter. For a pic see here: https://www.northside.co.uk/parts/fuel-filter-tee-...
Is there something similar in your fuel line?

[arnie187]

Replaceed fuel fiter housing and hoses to housing . And all has been fine . Cheers for advice

Edited by arnie187 on Sunday 19th November 09:06

[Sheepshanks]

arnie187 said:

Replaceed fuel fiter housing and hoses to housing . And all has been fine . Cheers for advice

Thanks for the update. It did seem logical that the problem would be in that area if it started around the time of the filter change.

[Penelope Stoppedit]

Sheepshanks said:

arnie187 said:

Would this be a place to check, for bad o`ring or such

Sounds like a plan if that fits with when the problem first reared its head.

There aren't different types of filter are there - perhaps one with a non-return valve?

Well thought out, good spot