Car doesn't want to start when cold - Page 2

Scalded Dog · 01-15-2014, 01:29 PM

Okay... if it's just under max level, you are probably okay there.

Gasoline has a tougher time igniting in cold... you may be having a fuel injector issue. I would suggest running a bottle of injector cleaner ($5 at Autozone) through a tank of gasoline, see if that helps. Might even consider having a mechanic do a full injector inspection/ cleaning, but that might get expensive.

Also would suggest making sure that the oil is not a straight 30w or 40w... try something a little thinner, or even a dual viscousity, like 10- 30.

Make sure the battery is really good. Even a GOOD battery has a tougher time when it's cold, and while it may still be able to grunt and strain, and turn the engine over, it might not be doing so with all of the power it SHOULD be producing to make that motor spin fast enough.

Finally, if it's feasible, try using a block heater... not expensive, but you will need a place to plug it in. You can go with a permanently installed version, or even one that you just take in and out of the engine bay with each use.

Fred 6528 · 01-15-2014, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tc Bosnian

When its warm it will start right up with no issues. When I'm at home the car is in the garage so going to work I dont have issues. Now when I'm at work and leaving it takes forever to start. It cranks pretty strong but won't turn over.

I've also noticed that the heat isn't the greatest. So maybe it's a thermostat that's causing lack of heat? The car takes forever to warm up..

When you say it cranks hard but won't turn over is the starter engaging or is the solenoid just sound like it's turning.

01-15-2014, 01:29 PM	#15
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Okay... if it's just under max level, you are probably okay there. Gasoline has a tougher time igniting in cold... you may be having a fuel injector issue. I would suggest running a bottle of injector cleaner ($5 at Autozone) through a tank of gasoline, see if that helps. Might even consider having a mechanic do a full injector inspection/ cleaning, but that might get expensive. Also would suggest making sure that the oil is not a straight 30w or 40w... try something a little thinner, or even a dual viscousity, like 10- 30. Make sure the battery is really good. Even a GOOD battery has a tougher time when it's cold, and while it may still be able to grunt and strain, and turn the engine over, it might not be doing so with all of the power it SHOULD be producing to make that motor spin fast enough. Finally, if it's feasible, try using a block heater... not expensive, but you will need a place to plug it in. You can go with a permanently installed version, or even one that you just take in and out of the engine bay with each use.