Starting issues

[evola4]

This just started the other day, I did a search but doesn't seem to be the same as other problems in the forums.

When I go to start my car, I turn the key and you can hear it try to start but then it won't finish and you hear a sort of whine. Kinda like the starter did not engage all the way. Sometimes it takes a couple more times of trying but it eventually starts. I vag com'd the car and it isn't pulling anything that would seem to lead to this problem. the only thing I have is a very small leak in the evap system. Whatever the hell that means. I don't want this to leave me stranded especially while I am on the way to pick up my kids. Anybody have any ideas. Do you think it may be the starter. How much is it to replace it and can I DIY it? I'm broke and my car is starting to cost alot.

[mattman]

i THINK i know what your talking about. we're both running GIAC 1+. Its probably your sparkplugs that need to be changed/gapped. I think its a misfire when starting.

[evola4]

That's what I thought too. I just changed them out to NGK BKR7E's and it just started back up again today. What are you gapped at?

[gq9]

Same problem here.

[evola4]

hmmmm... anybody with a solution. gq9 how long has yours been acting up?

[gq9]

past month, never done it before. brand new injectors and sparks and everything....idk what the deal is. Car won't crank the first turn, turn it off...try again and it cranks, idles kinda rough.

[evola4]

mine seems to be idleing ok just having the starting issues. I just changed out my fuel filter and thought maybe that would have something to do with it being that there was air in the line when I initially started it back up after the change.

[mattman]

i read somewhere before (most likely a previous thread on AZ) that it would happen if the new injectors aren't seated properly

[A4TL]

how about fuel filter replace?
fuel pump age? 03? recalled?

bad green ECT coolant sensor will do this.

the evap leak will most certainly cause this (incorrect vacuum). fix it. it gets worse as it gets warmer.

[evola4]

well vag said I do have a very small vac leak. I'll look into it. I didn't think that would have anything to do with it though. As for the fuel pump, I just changed that last week. Fuel pump is as old as the car which is 05', i'll check for leaks first.

[A4TL]

trust me i went through this last year. started out small leak, brakes started to get mushy. hard starts. eventually a check valve piece (in front of N80) lodged self into n80 causing it to always stay open. this was a progression of failure and ended up buying a check valve, gas cap (4 bux why not), and n80 valve. not cheap. could have been prevented by replacing check valves before they crumbled is the moral of the story.

[evola4]

good to know, I'll be checking the whole system today for broken check valves and what not. You wouldn't by chance be able to take a picture where the N80 valve would be located at would you. Thanks for all your help.

[A4TL]

its right on top of the (1.8T) airbox you can't miss it has a plug going into it and a check valve in front of it. if you've ever change the air filter you've handled this puppy.

they call it a check valve ($160) at the dealer, we just call it a N80 purge solenoid. it is adjustable. mine just had junk lodged in it allowing air to pass always. this caused my mushy brakes (so i upgraded to b7 a4), this caused hard starts progressing to triple-no-starts after filling up on a hot day, and of course our favourite CEL code airflow incorrect.

the turbo gets so fricken hot it kills everything plastic under the hood. maybe its a result of cranking the boost up so much ?

oddly enough my 90 corrado lines are still intact. about 18 years old? running 15 (instead of 9) psi at 146K miles. The car eats batteries due to underhood temps but i guess using a blower doesn't cook the bay as much or perhaps they put more insight into airflow or (lack of ) sound deadening.

[evola4]

Ok. I checked all the inline check valves and they are all good. I pulled the N80 valve and blew into it and air does not go through either way. Should air be able to flow through one side freely? BTW I hate those damn one time use clips. what a waste of time.

[A4TL]

indeed mini zip ties ftw!

start checking other hoses for leaks. everything rubber under the hood is suspect these days.

[evola4]

I did have a little red silicone hose that look liked it had better days. I replaced that as well as all the clips with better hose clamps. Checked everything and twisted the gas cap on good and all seems well for now. I think I might get a new gas cap for good measure because I've has problems with it in the past. we'll see how it goes. thanks again for the help guys!