Audi A4 Starting Problem - One Trick Pony
Hi All,

I've got an Audi A4 which about twice a year refuses to start. It's a 1.8 non turbo petrol car from '96. The symptom is that the engine seems to have no compression and turns over really quickly. I know it's got hydraulic cam followers and I've been told that sometimes they can cause valves to stick open slightly , hence the lack of compression.

When the fault occurs, the only way to solve it is continued cranking until (after several flat batteries) the engine splutters into life.

Apart from this sporadic problem the engine runs quietly and without problems.

Please any ideas, suggestions????

Cheers Chris
Audi A4 Starting Problem - 659FBE
Check that the oil in the sump is to the specified viscosity, and not too thick. Hydraulic tappets can pump up under certain circumstances and hold the valves open.

659.