Audi A2 Cold Start Issues: Bad Injector Fix Guide

Had almost the same hard starting issue with my Audi A3 1.4 TSI from 2007. Based on some experience working on fuel system issues, I can share what worked for me. The symptoms matched exactly, rough running and cold start problems in the morning, but normal operation once warmed up. The engine misfire during cold starts was particularly annoying. First tried fuel injector cleaning service (240 Euro) which helped temporarily but the issue returned after 2 weeks. Finally had a proper injector test done which showed one injector was definitely faulty. Ended up replacing the problematic injector plus all seals for 515 Euro, solved the problem completely. To better assist with your specific case, could you provide: Current mileage, Any check engine lights, When fuel filter was last changed, Whether engine performance changes in wet weather, If you notice any fuel smell The injector issues on these engines often show similar patterns but knowing these details would help confirm if your situation matches what I experienced with the faulty injector causing cold start problems.

Latest service was at 158000 KM so about 1000 KM ago where they changed oil and filters. The hard starting issue appeared a few weeks after the service. No check engine light present. I did notice slight fuel smell after failed cold starts. Engine runs perfectly normal in any weather once warmed up. Having read your experience, I am now leaning towards getting a proper fuel injection system test before trying injector cleaning. The symptoms are nearly identical and the rough idle during cold starts is getting worse. Given the mileage on my car, replacing the injectors might make more sense than just cleaning if the test shows issues. The fuel rail and connections will need inspection too since there is that occasional fuel smell.

Thanks for the additional details. Those symptoms line up exactly with what I experienced, especially the fuel smell after failed starts and rough idle getting progressively worse during cold starts. Since you mentioned having a recent service, we can rule out basic maintenance items. The fact that hard starting appeared shortly after could indicate disturbed deposits in the fuel system made their way to the injectors during the work. In my case, the injector test revealed uneven spray patterns and poor atomization when cold. This explained the cold start problems and fuel smell, since raw fuel was pooling instead of properly atomizing. The rough idle was a direct result of this poor fuel delivery during warm-up. Based on matching symptoms and similar vehicle age/mileage, I would recommend: 1. Full injector test first (around 150 Euro) 2. If failed, complete injector replacement rather than cleaning 3. Replace all seals and O-rings while fuel system is apart 4. Consider fuel pressure test to verify pump operation The investment in proper diagnosis saved me from repeatedly trying cheaper fixes that didnt address the root cause of the faulty injector causing cold start problems. Want me to share the specific test results I got when they diagnosed mine? Might help you know what to expect during testing.

Thanks for offering those test details! Would definitely be helpful to know what specific readings to expect. After looking at costs, I scheduled a diagnostic session for next week to check the fuel injection system. Makes sense to start with proper testing rather than guessing. Got quoted 145 Euro for full injector testing including pressure checks. The matching symptoms you described really help confirm my suspicions about the injectors. The fuel smell after failed starts was the key detail that convinced me, plus how the engine misfire only happens during those first few minutes of cold operation. If testing shows similar issues to what you found, I will likely go ahead with full injector replacement rather than just cleaning, especially given the mileage. Better to fix it properly the first time than waste money on temporary solutions. Will update once I get the test results back. Between the hard starting, rough idle when cold, and that fuel smell, I am fairly confident we are dealing with the same type of injector problem you experienced. Thanks for helping me avoid the trial and error approach.