So I decided to get this 1998 A6, it has 130,000 miles on it, clean carfax, still new interior the works. I got it cheap because the person was moving out of the county and I wanted until the LAST DAY they were here to buy it, $4000 total.
BUT!
It doesn't start up like it should, it runs great but takes like 2 attempts to start, the first one just trys to start and will eventually turn over, but it normally takes 2.


This is how it works.

Attempt 1 - turn key, wait 5-10 seconds engine turns car runs fine.
Or
I can do attempt 1 for abour 2 seconds then make a second attempt and it starts normally.

It's scary to know that there may be something wrong however.

Please help me! Sorry if the post sounds so crazy, its late and I'm tired.

 

It might just be a fuel pump, but dont take my word for it

 

filter might be bad too

 

wow fast response times, thanks dudes, ok filter as in fuel filter or air filter? I'll check both tomorrow.
How much would it cost for a new fuel pump, can this be installed manually, i'm not too bad at that stuff...

 

I had similar problems with mine. I seafoamed the car, changed the MAF sensor and my plugs. Car runs like a champ and has had no problems starting what so ever. I'd bet because of the miles and year of the car, it has a lot of carbon build up so I'd say seafoam first and see if that helps. Its cheapest thing you can do.

 

seafoam? lol


EDIT. JUST READ UP ON IT AND SOUNDS GOOD, I'LL TRY IT TOMORROW, ANY TIPS ON USING IT WOULD BE GREAT, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT.
sorry for all caps.. lol.

 

http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpConsumer.htm

Seafoam is a motor treatment that is best used by putting it through a vac. line in your car to clean out the combustion chamber to remove built up carbon. You can also put it in your fuel tank and clean the fuel system. Very easy to do and inexpensive, there are plenty of testomonials, and videos.

 

and it is 100% SAFE? I read on hondatech that it is indeed safe BUT makes your car smoke AND run groggy for like 5-10 minutes.
kinda scary huh..

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mJKiIZSZRmo

Theres the vid for my car, no idea why there is no sound.

Yes it is safe, it smokes because it is cleaning out all the carbon in the car, the more smoke = the more carbon that has built up.

You let the car suck up the seafoam, let 15 mins star it and rev. then drive in high RPMs and it should all clear out. If you are putting it in the gas tank, you also willl need to mix with fuel.

 

ok I just need a pic of the intake vac, I mean, I guess I could find it, but I wouldn't want to risk it, I just got the damn thing.
if anybody could post one that would be great, I'm running a 2.8L quattro