Audi A7 Cold Start Fault Points to Fuel Injector

I had nearly identical symptoms with my 2019 Audi S5. The hard starting and rough running during cold starts pointed to a failing fuel injector. After multiple engine misfires during morning starts, diagnosis revealed a defective injection valve in cylinder 2. The fuel delivery system required careful inspection. The technician found that the injector was not atomizing fuel properly during cold starts, leading to incomplete combustion. The fuel rail pressure was within spec, but the injector itself was compromised. The repair involved replacing the faulty injector and performing a complete fuel system cleaning. This was definitely a serious issue that needed immediate attention, as continued operation could have led to catalyst damage and increased emissions. After the repair, the cold start problems disappeared completely. The engine now fires up instantly and maintains smooth idle from the start. Regular fuel system maintenance since then has prevented any recurrence of these symptoms. For reference, these injection system issues often manifest first as cold start problems before developing into more severe running issues. Getting it diagnosed early is crucial for preventing additional engine damage.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the injector issue. I am experiencing very similar rough idle symptoms with my A7 right now and will have it checked out. The cold start problems you described match exactly what I am dealing with. Did you remember how much the injector replacement and fuel system cleaning cost? Also curious if any other issues came up since the repair was done? I want to make sure I budget correctly and address everything while they are working on the fuel rail and injection system.

I got my A7 back from the shop last week after dealing with that faulty cold start injector. Total repair cost was 515 Euro which included replacing the defective injection valve and a complete fuel system cleaning. Since the repair, the hard starting issues are completely resolved. The engine fires up instantly even on cold mornings, no more rough running or engine misfire problems. The fuel injection system is working perfectly now, and I have not experienced any related issues. The mechanic did a thorough job checking the entire fuel rail while they had everything apart. They confirmed no other components needed attention, which was reassuring. Getting that injector replaced early likely prevented more expensive problems from developing. As preventive maintenance, they recommended regular fuel injection cleaning service every 30000km to help avoid similar issues in the future. This keeps carbon deposits from building up in the system.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I took my A7 to the mechanic yesterday and the diagnosis confirmed the faulty injector. The fuel system inspection revealed the same issue with improper atomization during cold starts. The repair cost came to 490 Euro including parts and labor. They replaced the problematic injector and performed a complete fuel rail cleaning service. The mechanic also checked the surrounding components while the system was open. The difference is remarkable, no more cold start problems or engine misfire issues. The car starts perfectly even in cold weather and maintains smooth idle from the first turn of the key. The shop recommended regular fuel system maintenance to prevent future issues. For anyone facing similar hard starting symptoms, getting it checked early definitely saved me from bigger problems down the road.