patricklehmann18
WRV Poor Engine Running Cold Starts
Summary of the thread
A 2020 Honda WRV diesel is experiencing poor engine performance during cold starts, with increased fuel consumption and a diagnostic error related to the heating system. The issue is suspected to be a defective PTC heater, which is crucial for helping the engine reach optimal temperature quickly. A similar case confirmed that replacing the faulty PTC heater resolved the problem, improving cold starts and normalizing fuel consumption. It is recommended to have the vehicle professionally diagnosed and repaired, with an estimated repair cost of around 350€.
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4 comment(s)
patricklehmann18 (community.author)
Yes, exactly! Rough and hesitant is a good way to describe it. It's like it's not getting enough fuel or air until it warms up a bit. Did you also get an error code related to the heater? And how did you eventually resolve the issue? Was it definitely the PTC heater?
christianjones1
Yep, error code was definitely heater-related. After some head-scratching, I took it to a workshop. They confirmed the PTC heater was faulty and replaced it. Since then, cold starts have been smooth, and the fuel consumption is back to normal. I'd suggest getting it checked out by a professional to confirm, but based on your symptoms, it's highly likely to be the culprit. They quoted me around 350€ for the repair, which seems about right for this type of job.
patricklehmann18 (community.author)
Thanks for the info! I appreciate you sharing your experience. I'll book it in for a proper diagnosis and repair. The 350€ repair cost helps me estimate the upcoming damage to my wallet. Sounds like the PTC heater is the prime suspect.
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HONDA
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WRV
christianjones1
Whoa, that sounds familiar! I have a WRV as well, same engine type, and I had similar symptoms last winter. By "poor engine running", do you mean it's rough and hesitant until it warms up a bit? The increased fuel consumption is a telltale sign something's up with the heating system. These PTC heaters are supposed to give the engine a boost when it's cold, and when they fail, the engine struggles to reach optimal temperature quickly.