VW Tiguan Cold Start Issues Fixed: Injector Guide

Having faced similar hard starting issues with my 2012 VW Golf 2.0 TSI, I can share some relevant experience. The symptoms you describe match what I encountered, particularly the engine misfire and inconsistent fuel delivery during cold starts. After multiple attempts at diagnosis, my mechanic identified a faulty fuel injector that was causing irregular fuel spray patterns, especially during cold operation. The repair involved: Complete injector testing and cleaning, Replacing one defective injector, Checking fuel rail pressure, Full system diagnostics, Programming the new injector Total cost came to 515€, including parts and labor. The fix completely resolved the cold start problems and restored smooth operation. Before proceeding with repairs, it would help to know: Have you noticed any check engine lights? What is your current mileage? Does the engine misfire occur only during cold starts or at other times too? Have you had any recent fuel system maintenance? These details would help determine if your Tiguan is experiencing the same fuel delivery issues I encountered. A proper diagnosis is crucial since similar symptoms can sometimes stem from different root causes.

Thanks for the feedback. Just had my latest service 2 weeks ago. At 149254km, I get occasional check engine lights that come and go, mostly during those rough cold starts. Fuel injection definitely feels inconsistent, sometimes the engine catches right away, other times it struggles and stumbles before settling into a rough idle. The misfires are almost exclusively during cold starts though, once the engine warms up it runs pretty normally. No recent fuel system work beyond regular maintenance. The service technician mentioned potential injector issues but wanted to do more testing before confirming. Think I should go ahead with the full injector cleaning and testing you mentioned?

Based on what you've described, your situation sounds nearly identical to what I experienced. The intermittent check engine lights during cold starts were exactly what I saw before getting my injectors serviced. With your mileage being close to where mine was when I had the issue (I was at around 145000km), it really points to fuel system maintenance being due. The inconsistent starting behavior you mentioned, where it sometimes catches and other times struggles, matches the classic symptoms of dirty or failing injectors. My Golf showed the same pattern of rough idle and engine misfire issues that cleared up once warm. Since you've already had a technician flag potential injector problems, I'd definitely recommend proceeding with professional injector cleaning and testing. In my case, waiting too long led to one injector failing completely, which ended up costing more than if I'd addressed it earlier. The complete fuel system service solved: Inconsistent cold starts, Morning rough idle issues, Cold engine misfires, Check engine light warnings The full diagnosis and cleaning cost me about 280€, which was much better than the 515€ I eventually paid for the replacement injector and programming. Consider it preventive maintenance that could save you from more expensive repairs later.

Thanks for all that detailed info, sounds like I should definitely move forward with the injector testing and cleaning based on your experience. Those cold-start symptoms match mine exactly, and since my mileage is in the same range where you had issues, it makes sense to address it now. Rather than risk a complete injector failure like you had, getting the fuel delivery system checked properly seems like the smart move. Going to schedule the diagnostic work and injector cleaning next week. The 280€ cost you mentioned for testing and cleaning is way more appealing than potentially having to replace injectors later. Better to sort out the fuel injection problems early while its still mainly just cold-start issues rather than wait for more serious problems to develop. Really appreciate you sharing the specifics of your repair experience, helped me feel more confident about the right path forward with my fuel system maintenance. Will update once I get the work done.