Mk5 Polo Starting issue

[DaBigGinger]

I've got a Mk5 1.4 16v Polo as a daily driver. Over the past few weeks, it almost never starts first time when the engine is cold. It'll fire once or twice, then needs to be started again. It'll start fine the second time and runs fine, though. It starts fine when the engine is warm. I'm not quite sure where to start with the troubleshooting. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[pettsy]

coolant temp sensor?

[DaBigGinger]

Wouldn't it show a fault on the dashboard if the sensor was faulty? Even if it didn't and didn't realise the water temp was cold, wouldn't it be running rough until warm?

I was thinking about the possibility of a choked fuel filter or air filter. Any thoughts anyone?

[hayesey]

faults will only show if the sensor is reading outside it's possible range or not at all.  Doesn't mean it's not telling the ECU the wrong temp all the time.

[DaBigGinger]

Fair point Cool, I'll take a butchers and see how I get on.