I have a 2000 A4 Avant. On monday it was below zero here, I have around a 1/4 tanks of gas put in at 11pm on Sunday. At 7am Monday the car started right up, since then will not turn over. It just cranks and cranks. I assume its a fuel related issue but not sure. Any suggestions. The motor is band new with only 3000 miles on it.

 

fuel pump? do you have a vag?

 

I do not. I probably will tow it to a shop today. One final point, i added dry-gas when it first wouldn't start. When it was still below 0. Like a idiot I added a whole bottle for my 1/4 tank. Could this no be my issue ? Should i add more gas in a last-ditch-effort to avoid mechanics fee's.

 

I would add more gas, but thats probably not the root of your problem.

try this
Push the gas pedal down to the floor. Now try turning the car over - it may crank a few times and then catch.

 

Could it be no spark instead of no fuel. Maybe the plug gap is too wide.

 

well I suppose you could pull a spark plug out and have someone crank the car. See if there is any spark. The odds of ALL plugs being gapped wrong and not starting is slim to none. You would have some firing with misfires, or rough idle. Maybe a clogged fuel filter? I'm just taking stabs.

 

I always point to the coolant temp sensor whan a car cranks and cranks and cranks...
I've had 2 go bad. And thats the symptom. Sometimes it will start and sometimes not.
Its a $20 part, so its worth a try.

 

Where is that sensor ? i am no mechanic but capable if not too complicated. Is there a link to a engine diagram anywhere ?

 

The sensor is behind the engin - a little blue plug (or green) that is plugged into the end of a coolant hose (the hose pints up towards the hood)

lemme look for a pic... I had one somewhere

ah here we go

[IMG]local://upfiles/359/7B3E0B44E050478DAE46510B1E643F2E.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/359/678024D5131F412682BF688349A98FCB.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/359/9D3C7B2B871D4D6887C0B81897D3B33E.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/359/49ED86D698E04341AAC794BECA794CD8.jpg[/IMG]

 

I'm too lazy to research. How does the the coolant temp sensor have so much bearing on the engine? I mean it just takes the damn temp.