Virtus Cold Start Issues: Rough Idling & Hard Cranking

Had nearly identical symptoms with a 2017 Polo TSI. The rough idle and hard starting turned out to be a faulty fuel injector. The engine misfire was most noticeable during cold starts, requiring multiple attempts to get running. The fuel injection system diagnostic revealed reduced spray pattern and inconsistent fuel delivery through the fuel rail. Two injectors were severely clogged, causing uneven fuel distribution. This explained the rough running and starting issues. The repair involved removing and testing all injectors, cleaning the fuel rail, and ultimately replacing the problematic units. Getting the proper diagnosis was crucial since similar symptoms can point to various issues like spark plugs or coil packs. After replacement, the cold start behavior improved immediately. The engine now fires up instantly and maintains stable idle. This was definitely a serious repair that required specialized diagnostic equipment to properly identify the failing components. Key warning signs that pointed to injector failure: Consistent hard starting in cold conditions, Rough idle that improved after warmup, Noticeable engine misfire at low RPM, Uneven acceleration response Best approach is getting a proper fuel system diagnosis with pressure testing and injector spray pattern analysis before replacing parts.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Had the exact same cold start issues with my 2020 VW Virtus. The rough idle and engine misfire were frustrating until I got the injector cleaning done. The mechanic ran a full injector test which confirmed my suspicions about poor fuel delivery. Really interested to know what the final repair cost was for your fix? Also, has everything stayed running smoothly since the injector replacement, or have you noticed any other fuel system problems popping up?

Following up on your question, after having the faulty cold start injector replaced, my Polo has been running perfectly with zero fuel delivery issues. The repair bill came to 515€ which covered the complete injector replacement and diagnostic work. The mechanic confirmed what we suspected, the deteriorated injector was causing those frustrating cold start problems and rough morning idles. Since the fix, the engine fires up immediately every time without any engine misfire symptoms. Good to hear you also got your injection system sorted. These fuel system issues can be tricky to diagnose, but once properly fixed with quality parts, they typically stay resolved. My car has been running smoothly for months now with consistent fuel delivery and no return of those early morning starting troubles. No other fuel rail or injector problems have emerged since the repair. The initial cost might seem steep, but having a properly functioning fuel injection system makes such a difference in daily driving reliability.

Thanks for the feedback. After dealing with those frustrating cold starts for weeks, I finally got it sorted at a specialized fuel injection workshop. The full injector test confirmed failing spray patterns on two injectors. The repair cost came to 680€ including complete fuel system cleaning, replacement of both bad injectors, and a new fuel filter. Expensive but worth every cent, the engine now starts instantly even on the coldest mornings with zero misfires. What really made the difference was finding a shop with proper diagnostic equipment. They showed me the before/after spray patterns during the injector test. The difference in fuel delivery was dramatic. Three weeks since the fix and the engine runs perfectly. No more cranking multiple times or rough idles. Should have addressed the engine misfire symptoms much earlier instead of letting my regular mechanic guess at the problem.