1996 Jetta strarting problem

[eventsman]

I have a 1996 vw jetta. 2.0 liter gas engine. fuel injected. The weather in my area has now turned to frigid cold. I have never had an issue with this car until now. For about two weeks i have had an awful time trying to get this thing started. basically I have full cranking power and in fact the engine is cranking but not turning over. I have done numerous tests from checking for spark( i have spark) to checking timing belt. ( its good) to just about everything. The fuel pump is working well, there is fuel reaching the engine. Theo only thing I can think is massive condinsation in the gasoline lines. When it does start it chugs for about 15-30 seconds really harshly. What do think?

[larsen_huw]

Eventsman,

All engine's are is a controlled explosion.

For an explosion you need:

fuel;
air;
ignition.

All mixed in the right ratio.

So bad starting is usually caused by one of these, or the incorrect ratio and timing between them.

You say the fuel pump is working well, and fuel is reaching the engine. How do you know fuel is reaching the engine? Or do you just mean the fuel pump works?

Your fuel pump can be fine, but if your injectors are clogged up ... no fuel for the engine.

Does your car have a cold start injector?

This is an extra injector to squirt more fuel into the engine when it is very cold, as it needs a little more encouragement to start.

If it's recently turned cold, this injector may of not been used for 12 months (or however long it's been warm in your part of the world), and become quite clogged up.

If this is the case, there are two solutions. The better one is to take out the cold start injector and clean/rebuild it ... or buy a replacement. The second solution is to buy an additive for your petrol. This is a special formula you pour into your tank when you fill up, and it allegedly cleans out your injectors for you.

I don't own a car with fuel injection, and have never used, or known anyone who has used any of these products, so can't comment on their effectiveness ... but if you don't feel you're up to rebuilding, and don't want to pay for a new one, it could be a cheap solution.

This is only one potential cause, without looking at the car, it's very hard to say.

Huw Larsen.