Cold start teaser

I am looking for advice from anybody out there who can throw light on my cold start problem: motor fires up when cold but dies after a couple of seconds; this can be repeated until slightly warm when the motor will eventually run. No problems when warm.

The motor in question is a 1.6 K-jet, fitted with a Turbo Technics (Dr Schrick) conversion, otherwise standard. I've had the car from new (39,000 miles) and put it to bed 7 years ago. On wake up, last year the probelm appeared.

The usual culprits have since been dealt with: corroded filler neck renewed; tank put through the "renu" process (full of rust), new fuel pump, new fuel supply and return lines, new filters (in-tank and at engine). Accumulator has not been changed. All cold start equipment (WUR, AAV, CSV, TTS) has been checked by a local specialist I was put in touch with - OK there. He tried a spare metering head which did not solve the problem. Fuel pressure is apparently slightly low (copper fuels lines probably have a slightly smaller ID than the steel originals) but not enough to cause problems (witness the OK-when-warm situation).

When by-passing the turbo (connecting the metering head directly to the throttle body) the problem disappears.

So I am still facing a dilemma. Is it possible that faulty vaccuum pipework may be preventing cold running?

Any suggestions from anyone (other than throw the turbo away?

seal gone in the turbo? all pipework tight?

delhidj said

Any suggestions from anyone (other than throw the turbo away?

not really, so throw the turbo, along with manifold and if you feel generous, any associated parts, my way please.

sim0n_parker said

seal gone in the turbo? all pipework tight?

be my first point of call too.