Cold Weather Starting Issue

[ns2013tdi]

On cold mornings (freezing and colder) my 2013 Beetle TDI occasionally turns over like it has a dead battery; cranks very slowly and stops cranking before it can start or won't turn over at all. I replaced the battery last season but it didn't cure the problem. Took it to a VW specialist (non-dealer) and he couldn't find anything wrong. No codes display. On some days it will start fine, idle normally, but when I start moving the engine bogs like it's firing on a couple of cylinders. It sometimes dies before I can start moving, sometimes keeps running poorly until it warms up and runs right. The VW specialist said it may be moisture (condensation?) in the intercooler causing the problem when it freezes and suggested I don't baby it. Driving it harder doesn't seem to make a difference. It also has an issue when driving with just enough throttle to maintain speed on level road, like a cylinder cuts out then in again over and over. Throttling back or more throttle and it disappears. This can happen summer or winter. Not sure if it's related but I can live with that. Any ideas on what could be causing the first problem?

 

[ns2013tdi]

Guess I should have done more searching before posting. Looks like both are common issues. I'll try blocking the lower grill to see if that stops the condensation problem. Looks like the other (related to the exhaust valve modulating) is just something to live with. This forum has a wealth of info

 

[DivineChaos]

Guess I should have done more searching before posting. Looks like both are common issues. I'll try blocking the lower grill to see if that stops the condensation problem. Looks like the other (related to the exhaust valve modulating) is just something to live with. This forum has a wealth of info

It also could be a lazy starter. Or a bad power lead to it. Grounds have been an issue too. I have a spare for a cjaa dsg trans

 

[06bluebeetletdi]

Try removing the end of the passenger side intercooler hose, the one with the normal hose clamp and see if water comes out. My beetle now has a winter front for the grill, at least the bug only has one grill and it’s easy to get your hands through it. In NC, i have to take my winter front off all the time, if the car starts every day it’s worth it. I’ve had it towed twice to the dealer for a frozen intercooler.

 

[ns2013tdi]

It also could be a lazy starter. Or a bad power lead to it. Grounds have been an issue too. I have a spare for a cjaa dsg trans

It seems to happen at milder temperatures mostly, so t seems to relate to freeze/thaw cycles, but I'll keep the starter/ground in mind. Thanks

 

[ns2013tdi]

Try removing the end of the passenger side intercooler hose, the one with the normal hose clamp and see if water comes out. My beetle now has a winter front for the grill, at least the bug only has one grill and it’s easy to get your hands through it. In NC, i have to take my winter front off all the time, if the car starts every day it’s worth it. I’ve had it towed twice to the dealer for a frozen intercooler.

I'm planning to try blocking the grill as many have done on here. Looks like an easy fix if it works. Reminds me of my youth when many cars and trucks had anything from cardboard to mats covering their radiators

 

[06bluebeetletdi]

233CB741-B23D-4ACA-9916-61991FC70D75.jpeg

• 06bluebeetletdi
• Nov 17, 2020

Here’s my bug with it’s winter front. A piece of vinyl fabric and some velcro.

 

[06bluebeetletdi]

Next version will be black, i only had this piece handy last winter after my 2nd frozen intercooler.

 

[GTOguy]

You guys need to quit messing around and delete the egr before you end up bending a rod some time. That is where the condensation is coming from.

 

[06bluebeetletdi]

I’m draining the intercooler hose every 5,000 miles too. I’m at almost 97,000. Diesel warranty until 120k or 2/4/2024 (10 years from delivery date), i have black soot on the tail pipes so waiting for tge dpf code.