takes ages to start

i have had my mk1 1.8 gti a wile now,and it has always took a few turns to start but from 2night after work i got in it and it tuck ages to start,i thought it was cause i was pritty low on petrol but i went and put some petrol in and it did the same i was left cranking for about 5mins and did the same when i got to my girlfriends


has any one had this problem???or no what the problem is???

thanks justin

Does it need a good service? Plugs, leads, rotor arm, dizzy cap? If not done for a long time can be worth it and maybe make the difference?

Cheers
Andy

Does the fuel pump prime when you turn on the ignition [you should hear it whirr in to life] check this link .   

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10919

is it ticking over ok when it does finally start ? once you have started it and run it if you turn it of will it start straight away ? but then if you let it stand for a while  and then try to start it will it take a while to start again ?
 if yes to the above i would check the fuel injecters for leaking fuel out of the ends .