Hard winter starts

[CanMP5]

Are you guys in cold weather getting hard winter starts?

I don't know if my problem is electrical or frozen fuel lines.

One time I had to hit the gas a couple of time before cranking in order to start the car. I don't like doing this due to the immediate high revs especially at a cold start with the oil still sitting in the pan.

Today its -20 C and I had to make 4 short bursts in order to start. It cranks but if I don't give a little gas she'll cut out.

If its electrical:

Will the following be causes?

I am on the original battery for 50000+K and my car is closing to 3years old (in June).
I did the tune-up this summer and its been running great until now. I used Bosch 4+ plugs and sparkco wires. How are they in cold temps?

If its a frozen fuel line:

Are there any harmful side effects to using fuel-line antifreeze?

If any of you know pls respond
Thanks

 

[blynzoo]

You need a new battery. I change it every two winters (or summers, whenever you change it). There is no harm in using a fuel product that removes water from fuel lines, however you shouldnt have any in there.
At that temperature the CCA's of your battery go way, way down. When you buy another battery, for where you live, get the maximum CCA (cold cranking amps) that they offer. You may also want to look at the viscosity range of the oil that you are using and make sure that it covers down to -20 C.

Your revs will be high because the ECU is trying to warm up the engine quicker. It is actually easier on the motor to have a slightly higher rpm at cold start so the engine warms up quicker than idling for longer on a cold engine at lower rpms. Also, our motors have oil squirters. So just turn the key to the on position (right before start), hold for one second for the squirters to do their thing, and then continue to the start position of the ignition.

If the car does start, and runs, then you do not have frozen fuel lines. Frozen fuel lines sound just like being out of gas. The car will turn over but not start. But hey, a bottle is about 2 bucks USD, so go ahead anyway.

The biggie? New battery.

 

[ottawaP5]

Aren't OEM batteries supposed to last for at least 5 years?

 

[AlaskaP5]

What oil are you using?
Do you have a Block heater installed?
How full was you gas tank... if it was below one quarter full, the gasoline may be turning to a goo-ish substance.

 

[Protege52003]

I use synthetic oil and the battery is 1 yr old and my car starts fine in the 0 degrees F +- with no trouble. I also have a remote starter, which starts every time. I am sure the synthetic oil helps.

-R

 

[Astral]

Also, our motors have oil squirters. So just turn the key to the on position (right before start), hold for one second for the squirters to do their thing, and then continue to the start position of the ignition.

So what happens if I keep the car in the "on" position for 5 minutes? Will it keep squirting the oil for the 5 minutes? Anything else running that's different from the "acc" position?

I sometimes leave the car in ON for a minute or two, let the wipers or heater work or something. Dunno if that's bad for the car.

 

[CanMP5]

Thanks for the replies..

To those who asked I use 5w30 since its flows easier in the extreme low temps, so I don't think that's what's doing it.

and I am at half a tank...

I think Blynzoo's right with the battery...I just started it after work tonight at -35C and it got worse. As well, the radio backlight and dash lights were dimmer than usual, until she finally started.

Does anyone know the CCA of out stock batteries? Looks like I should get a new one, with higher CCA.

 

[PaulMP3]

lol... i just got home from Smuggler Notch VT... -20 this morning 3 of the 4 cars that where in my condo wouldnt start... My MP3 finally started after about 40 mins... i Know i need a new battery, b/c it has died on me recently just from playing the radio while changing my oil.. this trip was very last minute because my friends car died, who was suppose to drive.

Anyways i had my car hooked up to my friends jeep for a while, i had plenty of juice. but it just wouldnt turn over... The guys that work there gave me some dry gas about 20 minutes after putting that in there it started up... 2 others that wouldnt start were still there trying when i left... no one was getting any fuel... It was ******* COLD!!!!! Freezing i cant believe people live in that kind of weather... I was in montreal weds night walking the streets was impossible... fingers and nose were numb instantly..


Looks like i will get a new battery soon, probally gonna relocate it to the trunk.. Also if i take the mp3 up there again in - temps i will throw some of that dry gas stuff in prior... A block heater would have been nice...

 

[PeaB0dy]

MY car started with a little hesitation, but otherwise was fine, shifting is a b**** though..

Don't jump the gun over one night, see if it does it again...

On sunday it's gonna be warmer around here, see what happenes..

The Winter is what kills your battery, not the summer..

I also wait till the car hit's 1500 rpm before I start to drive, warms up faster when driving..

 

[loccusst]

It got down to 11 below here and my civic that sat for 5 days without running but has synthetic oil started right up with the original battery (5 years old). When I went to go start my wifes new mp5 (bought it in oct) it didn't want to start right away. I kinda gave her a hard time about it, guess she should get the battery checked out.

 

[Flipper]

One time I had to hit the gas a couple of time before cranking in order to start the car. I don't like doing this due to the immediate high revs especially at a cold start with the oil still sitting in the pan.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hitting the gas pedal before you crank will not pump any fuel into the engine since we have fuel injection. The only thing connected to the accelerator cable is the throttle valve (air intake). Fuel injection is controled by the engine computer based on the measurement by Mass Air Flow sensor. Open throttle = more air flow = more gas.

I was going to comment on my OK starts here in PA, but our winter is pretty "soft" compared to yours, even this weekend of near zero temps.

 

[PeaB0dy]

The only danger of gassing it while starting is that the engine will rev high really quickly on the start, which you want to avoid...