2015 Golf TDI long crank first start of the day

GolfSW98

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Location
USA
TDI
MK7 TDI
I've had a couple of long cranks after long drives; maybe it's not related, but I've found that when I do remove the fuel cap and then put it back on (after maybe a third-to-half of the fuel's been used), I don't have the issue. Whether this is some random correlation or causation... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This has got to be a contributor to some degree. I might order a new diesel fuel cap soon.
Is there a dedicated vent on the tank that may or may not be clogged?

I will add, I am 90%+ confident I never experienced this until getting my in tank lift pump replaced at the dealer under warranty.
 
Last edited:

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
Golfsw
You mean fuel pump under the back seat or High pressure under the bonet?
I have noticed that when soot volume goes more or less to 19 20g golf has longer cranks. Just after dpf has burned normal crank whenever I start the engine. No idea why.
 
Last edited:

GolfSW98

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Location
USA
TDI
MK7 TDI
Golfsw
You mean fuel pump under the back seat or High pressure under the bonet?
I have noticed that when soot volume goes more or less to 19 20g golf has longer cranks. Just after dpf has burned normal crank whenever I start the engine. No idea why.
Fuel pump under the back seat.
 

brakey

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2022
Location
Michigan and Florida
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagen
Diagnosis Dan found this on a
2.0TDI EA288 engine in a golf.
My 2014 Jetta TDI has a CJAA Engine so it does not have variable valve timing like the Diagnois Dan video
 

brakey

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2022
Location
Michigan and Florida
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagen
You got a leaky/sticky vvt valve. Probably cause the oil on average is too dirty. Change your oil AND clean your vvt valve. Watch the below video...will save you a lot of pain and anguish.

That is a
2.0TDI EA288
Most of us have the CJAA so there is NO Variable Valve Timing
 

bigb

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Location
Arizona
TDI
2015 Sportwagon S
My 2015 CRUA has started this. 47,000 miles. I read the whole thread, will try the easy stuff first ie: fuel tank cap and I'll see if I can get it to preglow by keeping my foot off the brake for a few seconds (push button start). The battery is pretty new and the cranking speed is fast. Outside temps when I go to start are warm, around 70F. If it persists or gets worse I guess I'm looking at the VVT Valve.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
I have been on the thread for some time so far and as far as I know 20015 has a new VVT Valve fitted. It look as the new part on Dan's videos. One guy on golf7.com suggested to have a look at rpm under advanced measurements (vcds).
 

bigb

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Location
Arizona
TDI
2015 Sportwagon S
I have been on the thread for some time so far and as far as I know 20015 has a new VVT Valve fitted. It look as the new part on Dan's videos. One guy on golf7.com suggested to have a look at rpm under advanced measurements (vcds).
I'll take a look at it. Meanwhile I need to go back through the thread and see what worked for which year/engine although it's confusing as some posters have multiple cars and don't say which one and most don't state engine code. Do you know what the minimum RPM at cranking should be?
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
Member Crasher (form VW uk forum)says 'the minimum value is 280rpm'.
What I noticed on my engine (CLHA 2014) that when battery in the morning goes to 11.9 whatn turning the key, my golf (not always) has longer crank. When the voltage is 12,3 (during startup) nothings wrong happens.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
Unfortunatelly, the engine had long crank in the morning with fuel cap half open.
above video shows how hard it was to start
below videos was a second try to star the engine without aby difficulties.

can't see the differences in measurements.
 

bigb

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2018
Location
Arizona
TDI
2015 Sportwagon S
After a 1,000 mile highway trip mine has returned to normal, no more long cranking. Go figure. On the other hand I drove from Tucson to Coronado Island, drove around in San Diego for 3 days and drove back home running 75-77 with AC on both ways and burned a total of 24 gallons of fuel. Didn't have to buy any CA. fuel at all, and the drive was comfortable and enjoyable, and maneuvering/parking in crowded SoCal was a cinch. Buying this car was one of the best moves I ever made.
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
After no issues for literally months (granted, only a few long road trips in there, but still...), on the recent trip over to Vancouver, I had long cranks twice (out of maybe 20 starts).
Weather was changing rapidly, so if there's something going on with the pressure in the tank vs. atmospheric pressure - that'd be my only guess. Other than that....I gots nuthin'!
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
I replaced my 8 year old agm varta to a new one exide. No looonger cranks only 2 times about 2- 3 sec. I'll keep an eye on that and let You know if that long crank is back.
@
Nuje

If You have any susppicion about fuel pressure go and hook up vcds and have a look id pressure is fine.
 

GolfSW98

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Location
USA
TDI
MK7 TDI
Since having my new AGM battery in, the long start has occurred once or twice at least. Notably different is the cranking speed of the motor, it cranks faster but there is still some issue once a blue moon, accompanied by the suction noise when I open the fuel cap.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
@GolfSW98
I have noticed the same. The crank is faster, smoother and the engine runs as fast as boing jet. I'll take a closer loot at cranking every morning as it has improved since the battery have been replaced. I'll let You know in a few weeks's time what my observations are.
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
So, while this isn't exactly pure science, here's my latest observation: We've had some big weather pressure changes lately (e.g. I set the barometric altimeter on my cycle computer at 28m one day, and it's reading -74m when I turn it on a day later), so when I went to jump in the car yesterday (hadn't been driven in a few days), I decided to open the fuel filler cap before I started the car. And I got a pretty significant "gasp" sound from the tank. Like there was definitely some pressure equalizing between tank and atmosphere. (Tank had maybe 10L of fuel, so there was plenty of air in there

Anyway, when I hit the START button, fired up within a crank or two - no hesitation whatsoever.

Can't prove that it would've "long-cranked" if I hadn't done the cap removal, but....also can't disprove that the cap removal didn't "fix" it either. :)
(Apologies for the triple negative)
 

nokivasara

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Location
Sweden @ Lat 61N
TDI
Tiguan 4-motion, Golf mk7
I replaced the in-tank lift pump and that cured it on our Golf. That was in 2020, not a single long crank since then.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
As fo long crank, non appeared since a new battery fitted in. Only 2 times in the morning 2 sec and than fired up. No long crank during the day (since 27 of may last month when the battery was installed). If it stays this way I'm gonna be happy.
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
So, while this isn't exactly pure science, here's my latest observation: We've had some big weather pressure changes lately (e.g. I set the barometric altimeter on my cycle computer at 28m one day, and it's reading -74m when I turn it on a day later), so when I went to jump in the car yesterday (hadn't been driven in a few days), I decided to open the fuel filler cap before I started the car. And I got a pretty significant "gasp" sound from the tank. Like there was definitely some pressure equalizing between tank and atmosphere. (Tank had maybe 10L of fuel, so there was plenty of air in there

Anyway, when I hit the START button, fired up within a crank or two - no hesitation whatsoever.

Can't prove that it would've "long-cranked" if I hadn't done the cap removal, but....also can't disprove that the cap removal didn't "fix" it either. :)
(Apologies for the triple negative)
Well, forget about all that. The last couple days I've driven the car, I've opened the fuel filler cap for a second or two. Didn't really notice any "whoosh" sound.
And then got the long crank. ☹

Battery is new (last summer), so not sure whether to just live with it or start throwing money at the problem and hoping something fixes it.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
I had my car inspected in bosh service yesteray as my mate mechanic work there. They said too many parts to be replaced two sensors on cr rail, HF pump, fuel pump under the rear seat, crank sensor etc. They don't know do to diagnose date on vcds that the issue! So live with that and keen an eye on it.
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
Brand new VW 72Ahr battery installed last night - problem solved.
(Granted, test sample size is minimal, but I'd come to the conclusion that my "new" (last summer) battery was definitely factoring into the issue: If I put that battery on a charger overnight - it always fired up right away. The previous owner (who "helpfully" had installed a new battery right before I bought it) chose economically with a H5 (60Ahr, I think?) - so, good riddance on that battery.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
Nuje
Is Your crank normal so far?
Unfortunatelly, as far as my car is concerned, it happens from time to time but only in the morning. I went to the car mechanic teling to inspect starter. He lafted saying he hears it is working so it a waste of my money. However, he had no idea what to replace. No errors on vcds and no one can help. Very sad.
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
I haven't been driving the car a lot recently, but every time I do, it starts right away.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
I am still struggling with the long crank. A new battery did not fix the issue. When I remove fuel cup can hear whoosh and what I noticed is that there is a 'stain' of fuel under the fuel door (don't know how to name in English) going down over the car paint till rear wheel is. So fuel goues out despit tje fact that fuel tank i only half full.
And what I have been suggested was before I start early in the morning, just turn the ignition on till glow plugs go out turn off the ignition and then run the engine right away. No long crak!!! for a cuple of days. The guy says if no long crank so fuel pressure sensor to be replaced. (but I don't get any errors on vcds)
 

T1MMBOJONES

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2020
Location
Milwaukee
TDI
03 ALH 01M wagon
Yeah I saw a write up on this before too, but it was over my head as far as write up goes. I’d like to know so that when my battery does go, I can just get the next size up no issue. Just the battery? Or was there any extra mounting hardware? I am far from someone good with electric stuff lol, I am color blind so generally avoid anything other than plug and play stuff.
personally id stick with the factory battery. my alh had an optima in it with higher cca ratings. it was still sluggish, after much reading i slapped a new factory battery in it and it started like never before. my "new" cjaa has the factory battery which i suspect is from 2012/13 and lately im experiencing the long crank first start of the day issue. i think its likely the vvt but im getting a new vw tdi spec battery as a process of elimination. its possible the other posters had the wrong batteries in the first place, they also do go bad regardless with age but my understanding the factory battery is the best thing youll find. i run optimas in my 7.3l and stand behind their product but in my tdi it didnt compare!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
Yep - put me down as another who'd recommend getting VW's H6 battery from dealer.
My 2015 GSW actually came with a new battery, but it was for the gasser (H5 size) - hence it's rapid demise (I'm surmising).

Only difference with putting a larger battery in was sliding the hold-down clamp forward - there's bolt/mounting holds for the hold-down clamp in two or three different positions.

I'd hacked together the H5 battery "blanket" with an old one from another car just to see if I could make them work because obviously the H5 cover was too small, and I didn't feel like paying $75 for one from the dealer. It did the job (well, as much as a job as it has - which seems like it's mostly "cover the terminals and look "finished"") until a $13 version from Aliexpress arrived (which fits fine and similarly "works" well).
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2015 Sportwagen; Golf GLS 2002 (swap from 2L gas); 2016 A3 e-tron
Brand new VW 72Ahr battery installed last night - problem solved.
Well - so much for that.
Drove ~1200km yesterday, got in the car this morning roughly 12hrs after stopping last night and probably the longest crank-before-starting I've ever had.
I'm out of ideas.
 

radiator

Active member
Joined
Oct 7, 2021
Location
poland
TDI
1.6 clha
@Nuje
I have recentrly been adviced how to start motor very verst in the morning/day. So far no looong crank, Sometimes only 2 sec - depends but no loong crank for a few days. One car specialist told mi to enter the car and do not shut the door. Turn on the ignition and hear fuel pum workin at the back seat and hear what 'working' under the hood. It takes, in my case, more time then I ususaly fire up my car (ingnition coil went off, and all light went off still don't start the engine ) and after some time (ussualy few sec after all lights go off) I fire up the engine and no problem whatsoever. During the day, there is no need to wait as much. Try this i my case it works.
 
Top