Car not starting properly ... need advice!

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chopsky

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Hey guys

So for a while now, our VW Polo has experienced issues starting first thing in the morning, or when it's left outside on a very hot day.
Usually end up turning the key +-3 times before it starts. Recently, it's also started jerking a bit in the beginning (as if its misfiring), but only for the first 20 seconds or so. After that, the jerking ends and it drives normally.

I took it into Autoworks. They ran a bunch of tests on the car and determined that the battery was very low, so they replaced that.

Fetched the car, and the following morning, same thing happened.

Took it back to Autoworks, where they ran a bunch more tests on the car. Called me later in the day to tell me they couldn't determine what was causing the issue, especially since the problem happens very intemittently. They kept the car for another 24 hours and ran more tests. Eventually they called me to tell me they found a crack in the exhaust manifold and are sure that's causing the issue.

Went to collect the car this morning. R4,500 later, the same thing just happened!

Would any of you knowledge folk happen to know what might be causing this?

Am going to take it back to them first thing in the morning, but little hope they'll know what to do...

Thanks!
 
Well 2 problems that are very very common, the plugs, and also the cords that go onto the plugs (Bougi Cords) that should have been the first test as its a miss fire so they should check the plugs if the were wet or just in good shaped, and then the bougi cords as they get old and brittle in places not seen to the eye. Hope it helps if you still struggling PM me if your around JHB can see if i cannot come through over the weekend.
 
Pearson6 said:
Well 2 problems that are very very common, the plugs, and also the cords that go onto the plugs (Bougi Cords) that should have been the first test as its a miss fire so they should check the plugs if the were wet or just in good shaped, and then the bougi cords as they get old and brittle in places not seen to the eye. Hope it helps if you still struggling PM me if your around JHB can see if i cannot come through over the weekend.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot. Unfortunately not in JHB - in CT - but appreciate the offer!
The misfiring has only started very recently and only happens in the very beginning when you first drive the car and only for about 10-15 seconds. Then no more misfiring throughout the day. Almost 100% certain they would have tested the spark plugs, as that should be an obvious check and they seem to have spent quite a long time testing the car. They replaced the plugs on my other car in the past when it was misfiring.
The real mystery is why it doesn't start properly first thing in the morning or sometimes after being outside in the heat for too long...
 
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Also get them to check the spar plugs themselves as there could be a build up on them that causes a misfire
 
I'm not a mechanic, but I don't know how a crack in the exhaust manifold will affect cold starts? Anyways, moving on...

What engine or model Polo are you driving.

Things to check:
1. Fuel
2. Spark
3. Timing
4. Air

Depending on the engine in your car, the gurus on the forum can assist with ways that you can check that this is present and working as it should.
 
A3@MBB said:
I'm not a mechanic, but I don't know how a crack in the exhaust manifold will affect cold starts? Anyways, moving on...

What engine or model Polo are you driving.

Things to check:
1. Fuel
2. Spark
3. Timing
4. Air

Depending on the engine in your car, the gurus on the forum can assist with ways that you can check that this is present and working as it should.
Click to expand...

2010 VW Polo 1.6

Thanks!
 
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chopsky said:
Hey guys

So for a while now, our VW Polo has experienced issues starting first thing in the morning, or when it's left outside on a very hot day.
Usually end up turning the key +-3 times before it starts. Recently, it's also started jerking a bit in the beginning (as if its misfiring), but only for the first 20 seconds or so. After that, the jerking ends and it drives normally.

I took it into Autoworks. They ran a bunch of tests on the car and determined that the battery was very low, so they replaced that.

Fetched the car, and the following morning, same thing happened.

Took it back to Autoworks, where they ran a bunch more tests on the car. Called me later in the day to tell me they couldn't determine what was causing the issue, especially since the problem happens very intemittently. They kept the car for another 24 hours and ran more tests. Eventually they called me to tell me they found a crack in the exhaust manifold and are sure that's causing the issue.

Went to collect the car this morning. R4,500 later, the same thing just happened!

Would any of you knowledge folk happen to know what might be causing this?

Am going to take it back to them first thing in the morning, but little hope they'll know what to do...

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi. I am by no means an expert and my suggestion are things I would try.

1) Removing the battery terminal at night and then try to start the car in the morning. Something(most commonly the alarm) could be draining your battery over night by drawing tiny amounts of power continuously and might still be doing that to the new battery.

2) Try pumping your accelerator 3 times in the morning before you start the engine. My uncle used to do this as "his fuel pump was lazy"

3) have the starter looked at.

Hope this helps
 
Dee96 said:
Hi. I am by no means an expert and my suggestion are things I would try.

1) Removing the battery terminal at night and then try to start the car in the morning. Something(most commonly the alarm) could be draining your battery over night by drawing tiny amounts of power continuously and might still be doing that to the new battery.

2) Try pumping your accelerator 3 times in the morning before you start the engine. My uncle used to do this as "his fuel pump was lazy"

3) have the starter looked at.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Thanks, thought about something draining the battery, but also doesn't explain why it sometimes has issues starting when left outside in the hot sun for a while?
 
My 2011 Polo Vivo (tip tronic) key will not turn for a good minute or two if it was parked in the sun for a few hours...

So i open the door and let some air in to the car. I presume that in my case, the ignition barrel, or something in that mechanism, is getting very hot. The mechanic told me to try the spare key to isolate the problem to the ignition, or the key, but I never got down to it.

One thing you could also check with a trust worthy mechanic, is the oxygen/air sensor. A non-trustworthy mechanic will take you for a ride.
 
chopsky said:
Hey guys

So for a while now, our VW Polo has experienced issues starting first thing in the morning, or when it's left outside on a very hot day.
Usually end up turning the key +-3 times before it starts. Recently, it's also started jerking a bit in the beginning (as if its misfiring), but only for the first 20 seconds or so. After that, the jerking ends and it drives normally.

I took it into Autoworks. They ran a bunch of tests on the car and determined that the battery was very low, so they replaced that.

Fetched the car, and the following morning, same thing happened.

Took it back to Autoworks, where they ran a bunch more tests on the car. Called me later in the day to tell me they couldn't determine what was causing the issue, especially since the problem happens very intemittently. They kept the car for another 24 hours and ran more tests. Eventually they called me to tell me they found a crack in the exhaust manifold and are sure that's causing the issue.

Went to collect the car this morning. R4,500 later, the same thing just happened!

Would any of you knowledge folk happen to know what might be causing this?

Am going to take it back to them first thing in the morning, but little hope they'll know what to do...

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Did you do an engine wash recently? High pressure car wash? Drive through rain puddles? Sounds like what I had after an engine wash.
Exact same symptoms. Mine started months after the wash though. All of a sudden, it didn't start sometimes in the morning and the misfire for a very short while also. Wasnt every morning either.
I just changed the ignition coil last week, have not had it since.
 
the polo coil is extremely sensitive. I would swop the coil out.
Then check the plugs replace anyway as gap might be wrong.
plug leads can be faulty.
Do you have any type of immobiliser?
 
Dee96 said:
Hi. I am by no means an expert and my suggestion are things I would try.

1) Removing the battery terminal at night and then try to start the car in the morning. Something(most commonly the alarm) could be draining your battery over night by drawing tiny amounts of power continuously and might still be doing that to the new battery.

2) Try pumping your accelerator 3 times in the morning before you start the engine. My uncle used to do this as "his fuel pump was lazy"

3) have the starter looked at.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Not a good idea with modern cars. Rather get hold of a Voltmeter and check the battery last thing at night and in the morning before starting it.

Sure the okes you are taking the car to know how to test the make and model correctly?
 
qscwbt said:
the polo coil is extremely sensitive. I would swop the coil out.
Then check the plugs replace anyway as gap might be wrong.
plug leads can be faulty.
Do you have any type of immobiliser?
Click to expand...

Thanks, will tell them to check that. No immobiliser.
 
Geoff.D said:
Not a good idea with modern cars. Rather get hold of a Voltmeter and check the battery last thing at night and in the morning before starting it.

Sure the okes you are taking the car to know how to test the make and model correctly?
Click to expand...

The head technician that's working on my car apparently came from VW...
Weird thing is, it can happen during the day as well, after leaving it in the hot sun for an hour or so, so can't understand how that can be battery-related?
 
My daughter has a Honda. The "computer" in the car decides at some stage that the engine no longer complies with the emission regulations and will then just refuse to allow the car to start and run properly. The cure is simple, reset the counter back to "zero" and off the car goes again. Repeat at regular intervals, or spend a bucket of money to change the sensors, which apparently "clog up".

Modern cars and all the electronics in them is one massive PIA! :mad:
 
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