Greetings Folks,
So we recently did a head gasket on our 1.8 Petrol with success (after setting the timing as per the workshop manual) however there does seem to be a cold start issue, sometimes no problem fires on the first turn of the key, other times its nearly 10 minutes of turning over with half starts.

Once running it's fine, my Son who's car it is says that he often has to pump the gas pedal like crazy when its been sitting out over night, we are in Switzerland so our overnight temps are down at minus 6 or so at the moment.

Could this be a temp sensor thing? having cooked it during the original head gasket fail caused by the pipe from the expansion tank coming off and running it dry?

We have seen some fixes with resistors to see if its the sensor.

Maybe injectors?
We don't know.

Thanks

Simon & Gwydion

If it's not loosing coolant, then it's likely the HG has survived the overheating event, at least for now.

Pressing the throttle to start it does nothing to help it start, as it's an injection engine, not a carburettor engine.
Actually using the throttle while starting will likely have a detrimental effect, as it allows for more air to enter the cylinders, without added fuel, so weakening the mixture.
The way to start it is to allow the computer to open the throttle, so no pressing on the throttle while the key is in the start position.

Nodge68 said:

If it's not loosing coolant, then it's likely the HG has survived the overheating event, at least for now.

Pressing the throttle to start it does nothing to help it start, as it's an injection engine, not a carburettor engine.
Actually using the throttle while starting will likely have a detrimental effect, as it allows for more air to enter the cylinders, without added fuel, so weakening the mixture.
The way to start it is to allow the computer to open the throttle, so no pressing on the throttle while the key is in the start position.

Click to expand...

So we replaced the HG and this has only been happening since, thanks for the throttle advice .. so it really could be a sensor issue then not sending what it needs?
Anyone think getting the codes read would help?
And is there anyway then to trigger a "choked" type cold start?

Simon