32 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHard starting in freezing temperatures
Leading reported evidence
Replace similar issue last year
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had a similar issue last year, replaced the starter and all has been well ever since.
Leading evidence: 'Replace similar issue last year' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'battery over fuel' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check fuel filter and if it�s easy' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
My battery is nearly 7 years old and I have no problems starting in cold temperatures, but I've used a CTEK charger almost from day one of ownership.
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Suspected cause · Original poster
Once the engine is running it seems completely normal, so I’m inclined to suspect the battery over fuel, but I appreciate these tips and will check them out.
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Suggestion
I would check the fuel filter and if it�s easy to do, check fuel pressure (suspecting a fuel pump problem).
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
battery over fuel
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Identified cause
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Suspected cause
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Suspected cause · Original poster
Once the engine is running it seems completely normal, so I’m inclined to suspect the battery over fuel, but I appreciate these tips and will check them out.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
32 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
It takes longer for my 3.4 engine to catch than it should when temps are near or below freezing. The battery seems to be cranking fine.
I've just replaced the coils and plugs. They were old but there's been no improvement.
Before I get the battery tested, are there any other likely suspects?
How old is your battery? Hard starting in cold temperatures is a good indicator of a weak battery. Is your Porsche your DD? Any car that is driven irregularly should be hooked up to a trickle charger. My battery is nearly 7 years old and I have no problems starting in cold temperatures, but I've used a CTEK charger almost from day one of ownership.
Remember, we're talking 20 year old cars here with aging fuel injectors, coil packs, plugs, SAI, MAF sensors, catalytic converters... on and on it goes. Even though you're not getting a CEL because it hasn't met the threshold, the car will struggle during extreme cold starts. Where are you located? What fuels do you use for this car? Have you done basic maintenance like changing the filter, coil packs, etc? Do you have a Durametric? You should probably analyze fuel trim, camshaft deviations, and a manometer reading to get a picture of the health of the engine.
I’m in Toronto.
Coils and plugs are new. Everything else is a question mark.
I use Petro Canada premium (94 octane). Petro-Canada is a mainstream top-tier brand here, as Sunoco or Chevron are in the US.
I have a durametric but am inexperienced with it, so thanks for the tips — any more advice on what to look for with the durametric would help.
Fuel filter sounds like a cheap possibility that’s worth doing anyways, so I may order one.
Once the engine is running it seems completely normal, so I’m inclined to suspect the battery over fuel, but I appreciate these tips and will check them out. Many thanks.
Three videos here: cold, warm and hot starts. Only the last seems normal to me. The first is especially nasty and it wasn’t even that cold today.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0KtB...OA#Mississauga
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0gA5...nd_Town_Centre
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0jrG..._-_East_Credit
Watching that volt meter, especially in your first video, it drops all the way to 10v as you turn the key on an attempted start. That battery is low, brother. I'd definitely give a new battery a try. Much simpler than futzing with the fuel system. It jumps to 14v after it starts because it is reading charging power from the alternator at that point. Good sign for your alternator.
Thanks for the tips. It also occurred to me that fuel injectors are probably overdue for replacement. Let’s see what Durametric says about fuel trims...
Sorry if I missed it and it�s already been covered (scanned this thread quickly), but you can clearly here the dreaded �starter is failing noise� after the second crank in the first vid. I had a similar issue last year, replaced the starter and all has been well ever since. Hope that helps get that portion squared away.
Nobody had mentioned that. Thanks. I have heard that noise come from other cars, but taking that video is the first time I have heard it with this car. What causes it?
The bearings on the starter motor is what causes that. Eventually the starter will need to be replaced. But just to be clear, that�s unrelated to the other issue of delayed starting. You have two separate issues.
throw a jug of methyl hydrate into the tank and run it through...might be some water logging. Change the filter after.
Is surely a fueling issue.
Starter is sticking 'out' and making that screech noise, will need to be replaced at some point but is 100% not a starting issue
Haven't heard of anyone replacing their fuel regulator on these cars, but that would be something to check.
Located on bank two fuel rail. You can pull vacuum line off and see if there is any sign of fuel in the hose.
If there is your regulator is shot. Best to hook up a pressure gauge if all else fails.
Amazon just lowered the price of the Bosch starter, from around $196.00 to $119.00.
The starter turns over the engine, but doesn�t technically start the car. Old cars could be push started without a starter motor.
The video seems to show (at least to me) that the engine turns over quickly enough to allow the fuel and spark and compression to be of sufficient capability to my car and other cars.
The only way a bad starter can impact starting is if:
1.) It turns over the engine too slowly
2.) It draws so much battery current that there isn�t enough juice from the battery to light off the spark plugs and fuel delivery (fuel pump and injectors), and computer components. The symptoms of this one are like a bad/failed battery, where a jump start seems to work.
Gotcha, appreciate the insight Mike. Watching the vid, I thought it was cranking slowly... at least a lot slower than my car. That led me to believe 2.) in your statement above. Thought it could also shoot a CPS off kilter as it drains the juice. My car would start when my starter began making that noise... just took a few attempts. All good now.
