Car taking longer to start

longwalks1

We have a 2003 audi A4 3.0 petrol that we've owned for about 9 years now. Covered 120k miles. Recenlty had it serviced by a fmaily mechanic changed oil and all the filters. Didnt change the sparkplugs as sais they were done only 9k or 10k miles ago (approx 2 years ago). Now it needs a little longer turning over before it fires up, any ideas?


Not to the extend of it not starting, but longer than usual (few seconds instead of instantly), just wondered if anyone had an idea of what else it could be? As its quite old, we are hoping not for an expensive repair if its needed

martinthebandit

How old is the battery?

longwalks1

martinthebandit wrote: »

How old is the battery?

Hadnt thought of that, I'm guessing 4 years old maybe 5? When i say its not starting, its not the slow turning over noise you associate with older cars (I remember the Mk3 Escort days whn you could tell it ewasnt ever going to start or turn over) or a flat battery, just its taking longer to start (if that makes any sense...)

reddwarf2002

If it's cranking at the right speed then it could be a host of other things wrong with it e.g. Crankshaft sensor, coolant temp sensor etc. It would save a lot of time if you scanned it for fault codes.

Norman_Castle

Was it an obvious difference immediately after the service? If so check for loose connections or a poorly fitted air box cover. Unless its causing a problem I would leave it as it may just be the ecu being a bit slow to adjust the choke in the current weather.

wgl2014

Starter motors can also get a bit 'lazy' when they get old.

To be honest I would probably change the spark plugs if they are normal (rather than long life platinum tipped expensive) ones, in my experience even though they carry on working for ages their performance drops off.

EdGasketTheSecond

When my car takes longer to start it is the spark plugs sooted up. You can't just say they've only done x miles so must be alright, you need to look at them.

jlemaitre

Personally i'd have checked and cleaned the spark plugs. Wire brush on a drill for example. But for 9,000+ miles i'd have just changed them. Plugs are cheap enough and if its the usual NGK ones they're only about £10 for 4.

I serviced my own car end of April this year. I've just had 3 weeks of work as annual holiday. I thought i'd check my plugs, tyre pressures, Coolant etc for a long drive i was due to do. The plugs were cleaned, While quite good condition they had soot build up. Now theyre as clean as you can get.

[Deleted User]

Switch the plugs yourself. The electrode gap would have widened at 9/10k miles. Might as well get a new set in. Easy enough job for an owner. It will improve the starting.
I know modern man is absolutely useless nowadays and can t change his own car tyres or mend a bicycle puncture but a plug spanner is cheap enough..don t over tighten them

System

Houbara wrote: »

Switch the plugs yourself. The electrode gap would have widened at 9/10k miles.

I'd be surprised if it had as most cars now use plugs with 40k lifespan.