T-Cross Cold Start Issues Point to Faulty Fuel System

Had similar symptoms with my 2019 VW Polo TSI. The engine misfire during cold starts turned out to be a faulty fuel injector. The fuel system was not delivering proper atomization, causing rough idle and hard starting issues. A professional injector test revealed two injectors were not functioning correctly. The technician found carbon buildup affecting the spray pattern. Initially tried injector cleaning but ultimately needed full replacement since the internal components were too worn. This was a serious issue requiring prompt attention, ignored injector problems can lead to catalyst damage and increased fuel consumption. The repair involved removing the fuel rail, replacing two injectors, and reprogramming the ECU to recognize the new components. After fixing the injectors, the cold start problems disappeared completely. The engine now starts smoothly and maintains steady idle. Regular fuel system maintenance helps prevent similar issues, worth using quality fuel and getting injectors checked during standard service intervals. Given your symptoms and mileage, would strongly recommend getting a proper fuel system diagnosis with specialized testing equipment.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like my situation matches what you went through with the fuel injection system. My mechanic initially pointed to the spark plugs but the symptoms align more with your injector diagnosis. Quick question, do you recall roughly how much the repair cost in the end? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the fix or did you notice any other fuel delivery related issues pop up?

Thanks for asking about the follow-up. After getting the fuel injection system properly diagnosed, it was confirmed that a faulty cold start injector was causing the rough running and hard starts. The repair cost came to 515€, which included replacing the defective injection valve and necessary programming. The engine misfire issues completely disappeared after the fix. The fuel delivery system has been working flawlessly for several months now, smooth cold starts and consistent idle. No additional fuel injection problems have surfaced since the repair. Getting the specialized injector test was key to identifying the exact issue. While spark plugs can cause similar symptoms, the proper diagnosis saved time and prevented potential damage to other engine components. Keep monitoring your fuel system performance and stick to regular maintenance intervals to avoid future injector issues. Quality fuel really makes a difference in preventing carbon buildup in the injection system.

Thanks for the input. I took my T-Cross back to a different shop that specializes in fuel injection diagnostics. They ran comprehensive tests and found two clogged injectors causing my cold start problems and rough idle issues. The total repair came to 680€ including parts and labor. They cleaned the fuel system, replaced the faulty injectors, and recalibrated everything. The difference is night and day, no more hard starting in the mornings and the engine runs smoothly from cold. Really glad I got a second opinion instead of just changing the spark plugs. The specialized testing equipment picked up the actual fuel delivery problems that the first shop missed. Been running great for the past few weeks with no signs of injection issues.