Diesel Lupo Cold Start Troubles: PTC Heater Failure Alert

Last month I encountered nearly identical symptoms on my 2000 VW Polo 1.9 TDI. The auxiliary heating system was malfunctioning, causing extended warm-up times and increased fuel consumption during cold starts. The fault code pointed to a defective PTC heating element, which is a critical component in diesel engines for proper temperature control during cold weather operation. The blower motor was working fine, but the heating element had completely failed. The repair involved replacing the entire electric auxiliary heater unit. This was not a simple fix-it-yourself job since accessing the heater components required removing several parts of the intake system. The heating element failure is actually a common issue on these older VW diesel engines. This needed immediate attention because: Poor cold starts can damage injectors, Increased fuel consumption continues until fixed, Exhaust emissions get worse, Engine wear accelerates due to running cold The repair should be handled by a qualified technician since proper diagnosis of the heating system requires specialized testing equipment. When completed, cold start performance returned to normal and fuel consumption dropped back to regular levels.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Lupo had the same issues, really struggled with those cold starts and the fuel consumption went through the roof. Got mine fixed by replacing the PTC heater and now the HVAC system works perfectly again. Quick question, do you remember roughly how much you paid for the repair? Also curious if youve had any other heating element or cold start problems since getting it fixed? Always good to know what to watch out for with these old VWs.

Just had this fixed two weeks ago and I can report that the heat is now working perfectly. The repair set me back 350€ for the complete electric auxiliary heater replacement. The temperature control is now working as it should, and those annoying cold start issues are completely gone. No electrical faults or PTC heater problems since the repair. The blower motor runs smoothly and the heating system responds quickly, even on the coldest mornings. Fuel consumption has also returned to normal levels, which is a relief for the wallet. One good thing about getting this sorted by a qualified technician is they did a thorough check of the entire heating system while they were at it. Worth every cent considering how well the car runs now. Much better than letting it get worse and risking damage to other components.

Thanks for the helpful input. Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to share my experience. The PTC heater replacement cost me 380€ total, which included parts and labor. Not cheap, but the cold start problems are completely fixed now. The heating system works perfectly, no more cold air issues when starting up. The mechanic showed me the old heating element which was completely burnt out. They did a full temperature control system check while they had it apart and everything else looked good. The whole repair took about 4 hours. Already noticed the fuel consumption is back to normal after just a few days of driving. Really glad I got this sorted before winter hits. Much better experience than my last repair shop visit. For anyone else facing similar symptoms, definitely worth getting it checked out early. Those rough cold starts can cause bigger problems if left too long.