sluggish cold start!

Hi folks

I have got an issue on start up in the morning. When i turn the key the engine tries to turn over and then after a few chugs starts up and runs sweet. only a problem when cold, i have tried turning the ingnition on first for the glow plugs but makes little difference. Just worried that soon it will run the battery flat and leave my stranded.

i tried a search but could'nt find a similar problem, any help would be great.

Has it always been like that or did something recently change?

Mine does something similar and I'm not really worried. Your battery will only lose charge from that situation if you repeatedly start and stop the engine without driving any significant distance. If it's always been like that and it only happens on colder mornings right before you hop in and drive to work then I'd say it's nothing to fret about.

ye its just a new problem, I started noticing it about 3-4 weeks ago. Thinking it might have just been some dirty fuel i used some of that deisel injector cleaner fuel additive but hasnt made a difference.

cheers for the advice

if its a 300tdi they all seem to be alot slower firing than the 200's starter or fuel difference I dunno but generally they seem to not want to burst into life as easy.

have you checked yer leak off pipes for signs of wear? they rub on the rocker cover and start to let a bit of air in the mix