Problems starting (not the battery)

[jobrieth]

Hello,
I have a 2001 VW GTI with the 1.8T. I've had all my regular servicing on time, but since I have had my car I have had trouble starting it when it is cold (not only temperature wise, but also when it has been sitting unused for a given period of time, though with lower temps it gets worse). I will turn my key to crank the engine and it will start to sputter and try to turn over but it fails. If i push down on the gas pedal it will start up, or if I stop trying to crank it, turn it off for a moment and they turn the key again it will start up. While my car normally idles at about 700 RPMs when it starts "cold" it idles at about 1200 rpms. I have had the battery replaced recently as well as a vacumm seal replaced but don't know what else it could be. At one point months ago my car registered a fault with the "camshaft" though it never repeated so it could be unrelated. Any help you could provide would be excellent.

Cheers,

CJ

[jobrieth]

help, anyone? My dealership is clueless.

[boschmann]

Ask them if they looked at the coolant temp sensor readings when cold to see if they were withinin specifications

[veedubmechanic]

The cam position sensor is prone to failure on older (99-01) 1.8t. It sets a code for adaptation limit reached.

Also it seems like the car is not getting enough fuel. When the car sits for some time the fuel in the lines evaporates. The lines sort of have to prime them selves after sitting for a while. Have you tried chaging your fuel filter recently? It should be replaced every 40kmiles or LESS.

[jobrieth]

I'll ask them about the coolant temp sensor. My impression (though I have no experience to back this up) was that it wasn't getting enough fuel, because when I pushed the pedal it would start. I have had all my normal service and am at 66K kilometers. I think they changed the fuel filters about 5K ago at a major service.