HELP!! Vr6 not behaving!

[79golfgld]

hey guys,
my vr6 is having trouble starting, it has heaps of power to turn the engine but just wont fire up 1st,2nd or 3rd time. so now i have to put my foot hard to the floor to get it started once its running its fine except for the tensioner bearing which needs to be replaced. im going to change the fuel filter to see if that helps but cant find it!!

any help would be much appreciated
sam

[Mrk_Mickey]

If it sounds like the electricals and the starter motor are all working well, then it seems that it would be lack of fuel...that's my understanding anyways. Replacing the fuel filter is a good step; when was it replaced previously?

[glidn]

well this could be a scary answer i'm afraid.

Does this only happen when the car engine is stone cold?

If so, it more than likely the headgasket, the vr6 has a specific issue, that if it's could and you turn it over it does not have sufficient compression, so the engine knows about it and simply will not fire to save it from damaging itself.

I had a friend 2 week ago with the same problem and same symptoms.
Ended up having to replace the engine.
Bugger sorry to be bearer of bad news.

[79golfgld]

hey glidn,
ive only got the car a few weeks ago, so i dont know when the filters were changed lasts ive booked it in to get a service next week. im pretty sure its not the head gasket like mrk_mickey suggested because im not losing any coolant and no oil in water or other signs, i spoke to the mechanic and he seems to think it might be the crank position sensor?
cheers

[79golfgld]

its harder to start when stone cold but once its warm it still hesitates a bit and the rev dip but the picks and all is normal

[Mrk_Mickey]

Well my guess is fuel or sensor because you make it sound like the electrics are fine lol.

[Shteifen]

pretty sure fuel filter is near RH rear wheel. just at the back of the seat. have to get at it from underneath though. im pretty sure its there though i might be confusing it with a newer car.

-steve