Are Audi Dealership clutching at straws?

martmonk

Morning all.

My Audi A1 is heading into the dealership tomorrow (again) for them to look for a fault.

It's a 2011 (June) 1.4 TFSI petrol.

What happens is that when I start the car from cold (usually a gap of about 4 hours is enough for the problem to occur) there is a 'cough' or a 'stutter' before the engine fires.

To be clear one key turn, cough or stutter, and start. No more intervention from me.

Very occationally the 'start' element will also see a large rev spike for a second or so but this is rare.

The audi dealership had the car for a few days ago a couple of weeks ago but could not replicate the problem. I took the car home, started it later that night and bingo - same issue. I proceeded to video all the starts I made over the next couple of days and emailed them to the service department. This resulted in the car being booked in again (tomorrow). However when making the booking the service rep said (paraphrased) - "I've watched the videos with the service manager and you need to turn the key 2 clicks, leave for a few seconds then turn to start, thus allowing the fuel pump to kick in"

I told him that was nonsense and we made the booking but my fear is that they will again say that they can't replicate the fault and try to fob me off with the above on starting the car differently.

The car started fine prior to a service the same dealership carried out a couple of months ago.

So (finally) questions - anyone have experience of this type of issue or any ideas as to cause - I can't find anything similar on Audi A1 forum?
Do you think they are trying it on with the explanation previously given, or is there any merit in it?
Where do I stand if they come back and say it's fine - can I refuse to take mine car back and hand over their courtesy car ?

Strider590

martmonk wrote: »

However when making the booking the service rep said (paraphrased) - "I've watched the videos with the service manager and you need to turn the key 2 clicks, leave for a few seconds then turn to start, thus allowing the fuel pump to kick in"

I told him that was nonsense

How do you know this is nonsense?
That's one of the most technically logical things i've heard from a dealership.

Have you tried this advice?

Also see here, they all seem to think it's normal: http://www.a1-forum.co.uk/a1forum/viewtopic.php?t=5085

I can't see a service causing this, more likely fuel pump is worn and needs time to prime the system. There should be a non-return valve which holds fuel up in the system after you stop, normally part of the pump these days, if this wears the fuel slowly returns back to the tank (more so if it's near empty) and the dealership statement becomes entirely true.

At any rate, you should always give a car a little time before engaging the starter.
Open the door, listen to the noises from the car when you turn the ignition on, when it goes silent, start the car.

As the car is two years old, IF (?) it's used for mainly short journeys it might also be needing a new battery, not to mention other issues caused by such usage.

Mr_Mink

Out of interest. Does the owner's manual for the vehicle mention anything on this? Is it possible that it does need a moment to fire up?

martmonk

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Strider590 wrote: »

How do you know this is nonsense?

My original post did ask the question;
Do you think they are trying it on with the explanation previously given, or is there any merit in it?

Strider590 wrote: »

Have you tried this advice?

Yes, car still 'stuttered'

Strider590 wrote: »

Also see here, they all seem to think it's normal: http://www.a1-forum.co.uk/a1forum/viewtopic.php?t=5085

this seems to be a noise issue - I haven't got a noise issue, it's a cough, or stutter prior to the engine firing up. Sorry can't seem to explain better than that.

Strider590 wrote: »

As the car is two years old, IF (?) it's used for mainly short journeys it might also be needing a new battery, not to mention other issues caused by such usage.

typical month is 2 weeks of 15 mile there and same back to work, other 2 weeks 300-500 miles in each week on longer trips.

martmonk

Mr_Mink wrote: »

Out of interest. Does the owner's manual for the vehicle mention anything on this? Is it possible that it does need a moment to fire up?

will check but it hasn't needed it previously and nor has any of the courtesy cars they've given me over the course of the 2 years (during services, and a previous, unrelated issue).

Strider590

The thing is, the cold start process is different to warm starting, the ECU shoves more fuel into the engine than normal and quickly increases the RPMs to get it running (so I think THAT is normal).

What you describe as a stutter, sounds like a misfire, the link I provided seems to be the same thing, but different people describe things differently.

If it's a fault, the causes are many, you should try a local independant VAG specialist and see what they have to say.

Check this out also: http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8017&start=20

I have no audio, so I cant play the video