OldGray320i
OldGray320i Reader
3/17/15 7:23 p.m.

I've noticed with the warmer weather (and not that warm, only 80-85 or so) the car doesn't seem to like starting all that quickly on the last leg of a multiple stop/start/location errand run.

Starts fine if it's been sitting, like just heading to lunch or something.

Normal?

LuxInterior
LuxInterior Reader
3/17/15 7:37 p.m.

Not normal.

Woody
Woody GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
3/17/15 8:20 p.m.

My 2000 was hard to start until I changed the timing belt. I think it was stretched enough to throw the timing off a few degrees.

Mr_Clutch42
Mr_Clutch42 Dork
3/17/15 9:02 p.m.

My definition of warm is 60-70 degrees F.

OldGray320i
OldGray320i Reader
3/17/15 10:53 p.m.
Woody wrote: My 2000 was hard to start until I changed the timing belt. I think it was stretched enough to throw the timing off a few degrees.

Placard on the firewall says timing belt done at 54K (or 59K, can't remember...), starts fine 95% of the time. Just the ocassional point A to B to C, and at C, it hard starts.

Not sure what I would even look for - but since I don't do that many short hops, not critical. Yet....

pjbgravely
pjbgravely Reader
3/17/15 11:21 p.m.

Hard starting after a heat soak is usually caused by an electrical component failing, or less often by vapor lock in the fuel system. Try forcing on the cooling fan. If it helps you have a heat soak problem to find.

OldGray320i
OldGray320i Reader
3/17/15 11:33 p.m.

I was thinking vapor lock, but with modern cars (i.e. pretty much anything injected), not usually an issue. What electrical component though? A temp sensor? Crank enough and give it gas, and it fires.

Just wondered if it was a "common" problem, sounds like not. I'll do some more searching...

pjbgravely
pjbgravely Reader
3/18/15 8:55 a.m.

If the pressure bleeds off after shutdown the fuel can vaporize in the rail or injectors, it is rare but can happen. Winter gas can also cause this problem on warm days. Personally I would wait until the switch to summer gas and see if it is better.

Electrical is more common and any component that can control spark or fuel can cause it. Coil pack, crank sensor, cam sensor, TPS, MAF and temperature sensors can all be to blame.

Swank Force One
Swank Force One MegaDork
3/18/15 9:14 a.m.

Does it still crank as quickly as normal, just takes more turns to catch?

OldGray320i
OldGray320i Reader
3/18/15 11:38 a.m.
Swank Force One wrote: Does it still crank as quickly as normal, just takes more turns to catch?

As quickly as normal.

OldGray320i
OldGray320i Reader
3/18/15 11:41 a.m.
pjbgravely wrote: Winter gas can also cause this problem on warm days. Personally I would wait until the switch to summer gas and see if it is better.

I will say I can't remember the last time we had mid 80s in March, even if it is SoAZ. I think Phoenix hit the 90s yesterday.

I shall monitor...

evildky
evildky SuperDork
3/18/15 1:10 p.m.

I'd be suspect of the AFM. It detects air temp, default is cold meaning it's gonna be rich for a warm start.

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