hey everyone,

I have a MCSa and noticed my starting the engine time is longer than it used to be. I have to hold the key in the crank position longer, and at time press the peddle to the floor to get it cranked.

i used to just click it over and Varrrooooommm....

But not not now....

any ideas or suggestions?

93 Octane Only
Kingsborne plug wires
NGK plugs
Screemin Demon coil...

 

Sounds like an ignition issue,plugs/gaps? - however it should be sorted asap as slow starting can allow fuel through the engine and destroy your catalyst in the header very quickly-

 

I have the same problem... but have no idea why it's happening. It takes me about 3-4 seconds to start a engine is hot, as opposed to a cold start. Colds starts in the mornings are okie, it's the afternoon starts that takes ages!

I've checked my alternator and battery and it's fine. I've done a general servicing, comprising of spark plugs, eng oil, and tranny oil to no avail. My Ignition pack does have some rust on it and am in the process of getting an MSD ignition pack. MAYBE that is the cause... I'll update once I get the MSD fitted.

I take comfort that at least my engine still starts...

 

I've been experiencing the same phenomenon as Bster for the past couple weeks: cold starts are perfectly normal (after the car has been sitting for a few hours), whereas warm starts take a few seconds to crank, and instead of roaring to life, the engine meekly meows to life.

The only difference in configuration was I had recently added water/methanol injection. I'd begun testing with different brands of fuel, and while it's still inconclusive, it seems that the problem could be somewhat similar to vapour lock - i.e., the hot weather lately is warming up the additional ethanol in the summer-blend gasoline, causing build-up of vapour. Our engines run quite hot, which could also potentially contribute to the problem.

 

Hey,

I get tis really bad after the engine has cold during some of the colder months (anything below 60 degrees). I have to floor the accelerator whilst cranking for about 2 or 3 seconds. If i dont floor it while i am starting the engine will sometimes dip way below regular idle speed and come close to stalling.

 

Are you throwing any codes? Mine does it because I currently don't have a post o2 sensor (well I have one, but it's not working) so it's running off of the CAM sensor to start, which is why it's delayed...

-Cody

 

If you are talking about the last few days, it could be due to heat. Electrical efficiency deteriorates as temperatures rise.

 

Mine does this as well. Typically running a good f/i cleaner usually resolves this.

 

happens after run for awhile. cranks up first time in the morning but like running to work, store and heading out for lunch or out of the store the crank is couple seconds longer.

i will give the FI cleaner a try,

thanks for the posts

 

+ 1 . i had some tough starts when hot and a look at the plugs told the tale . very lean . this is due to the new big valve head as well but once the engine gets really hot i assume some of the fuel is simply evaporating the second it hits the intake runner . so i went to 380's and it pops to life on half a crank when cold and about 1 1/2 cranks hot . much much better .

 

I've got 380cc injectors, but I haven't pulled the plugs lately to read them. Not that I'm much good at reading plugs, anyhow.

Prior to installing the WMI, I was using half a bottle of Lucas Octane Booster (which doubles as a FI cleaner) per tank of gas. I'll try putting some of that in to see if it makes a difference in warm starting.

 

Did it make a difference?

 

If you are addressing me, I'm afraid I have no updates yet! Didn't have the opportunity to drive much this past weekend, and because I'm fickle, I tend to use gasoline additives when I am filling up at the pump to ensure thorough mixing in the tank. Did take a couple of short-haul trips in slightly cooler evening weather and with the engine not very warm (oil temp was at 150 F), the engine started with the usual roar.

I also found a full bottle of Seafoam that I didn't realize I still had, and will probably use that first in lieu of the Lucas when I fill up, which will probably be later this week. Will report back with whether that helps with warm starts or not.

 

Well, I finally got down to fitting a MSD coil pack and kingsborne 8mm wires.

But the long cranking is still prevalent. I will try some fuel injector cleaner addictive next.

Sigh, this is such an annoying problem!

 

How about it, any difference?

 

The next thing I'm going to change, is the fuel regulator. Not an expensive part, and something that my mechanics have "troubled shooted" verbally...

I'll report back when I get it done.

 

Hmmm, mine has done this since day one and keeps getting a clean bill of health during services etc. (though mine is a tough starter when cold and starts easier when hot)

 

what would you poor sould have done wieh nyour car was equiped with a carb? My cooper now takes longer to start as well, how long have you guys had your car, it could be a once broken in thing, it takes a bit longer (more blowby), or it could be gas station switching to winter fuel (seems early, but i hear some of them do it early, i hate winter fuel...) Anyway, i dont really think its anything to worry about. Although the almost stalling bit someone mentioned, almost sounds like a throttle body. My mustang does that, and it was the throttle body last time, and i think this new one is gone as well, as it is starting to have the same issues as the last one did.

Just a couple of thoughts

Beecher

 

As mentioned before, the difficulty in cranking only happens when the engine is running hot, and not during a cold start. For example, it's starts fine in the mornings, and during the day, it takes longer to crank up

I've had my car for 3 years now, and this problem seemed to only appear about 6 months ago...

I don't actually have a problem with winter fuel, as I'm located in Asia, Singapore, where it's summer all year round.

 

rub it in...

 

It's not all that great. It's hot and humid here as we're near the equator. The cold is substituted by perspiration every time I have my meals...

 

Thinking deeper into my cranking problem... I've came up with more possible solutions to the reasons why it's acting like this..

It could be either the:

1. fuel regulator
2. fuel filter
3. fuel pump

I will change the first two items... but am wondering if any of you guys have the uprated alta fuel pump?

Anyone?

 

bump, anyone made any progress figuring this out?

 

sorry, i didnt know where this had gone. This sounds a bit like a case of hotstart. Theres some oldschool jokes about it. But maybe try a battery. Batteries loose power as they get hot, and have more trouble starting engines. I know there was alot of old cars that wouldnt start after they had been running, and it was due to a hot battery. However, temperaturs changes durring the day wernt usually be enough to effect it, but since your car is still starting, just taking longer, temp changes durring the day, might be enough.

Hope this helps

Beecher

 

My problem was the fuel regulator. That was the only part that needed changing. Now it starts up like it should.