car takes about a minute to start

1997 VOLKSWAGEN POLO
99,870 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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TOBY MAORI
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  • 1 POST
car takes about 30 seconds to start cold or warm maybe a minute there is no smell off petrol temperature gauge normal once started car fine. run for while ok switch off try again car starts. turn off for about 10 mins car takes ages to start
Feb 8, 2011 at 1:13 PM
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ERNEST CLARK
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,730 POSTS
This may be the fuel pressure regulator. The FPR is meant to maintain pressure in the system when you cut the engine off. This is so when you're ready for a restart, there's fuel already at the engine and you don't have to wait for the fuel to travel from the tank to the engine.

First pull the vacuum hose connected to the regulator. If there's any sign/smell of gas, then it's bad. Replace it. Then use a fuel pressure gauge to check pressure on the service port of the fuel rail. Turn key on/engine off. Pressure should be somewhere between 39-45 psi and holds steady. then turn key off. Pressure should stay that way for at least 15 minutes. If it falls, FPR is bad
Feb 15, 2011 at 2:19 AM