Hi i recently swapped engines with a 2004 jettas 1.8t and now im having cold start problems. It wont start or misfire really bad when its cold i have to rev it to 2000 rpm for about a min until it gets warm enough so that it idles fine. i dont know why when its warm there is no start issue at all. once it gets cold i try to start and it will start but shut off right away please help someone.



Also this 04 engine has one more part than my old one did which is a sensor for the variable valve timing which my old engine did not have could it be that? I mean whats the purpose for vvt on volkswagen engines i know its not like v tech.

 

You need a non vvt cam tensioner. It will fix your issue. Not overly hard to change but you will need a special tool that's about $20. Should be able to get both from ecstuning.com and/or mjmautohaus.com.

Vvt is for cold start emissions, nothing more.

 

But how will that fix the problem by just replacing that tensioner shouldnt it be the whole head i mean my ecu doesnt know that the sensor is there because there is no harness for it. After fixing some vacuum leaks and replacing my maf sensor the car starts when cold whenever it wants to but the problem is still there. also i have like 11 codes mostly evap purge valve and air injection pump shorts to ground and 02 sensors no activity detected or air fuel ratio too rich. I pulled out a spark plug when it didnt want to start and it was covered in fuel which means its not creating spark i think. Are you sure it could still be the vvt? thank you for your help i appreciate it.

 

The vvt swaps between two positions. A nonvvt tensioner doesn't. You need the correct one for the ecu.