Fuel & Spark OK - and still Won't Start?

[vesnyder]

Car went all Winter starting with no problem and tried to start it over the weekend - no go. Checked fuel (air filter) and spark (CDI and plug) and they seem OK, and still won't start? Battery is weak so I am purchasing new Optima to provide a better charge, but what else should I look at?

[Rot 911]

I think you may have discovered your problem. Replace the battery first and then see if you still have a problem.

[IROC]

Just a guess, but keep in mind that it takes something like 3.3 bar of fuel pressure just to open the injectors, so it might pay to make sure that the fuel pressure is high enough to do the trick.

I have also found that, after sitting for awhile, my car tended to get some condensation in the fuel system that required lots of cranking to eliminate. Once I got it started, it ran fine.

It's been my experience that if the battery is strong enough to actually crank the car, it's strong enough to start it.

Random thoughts on my part. Good luck.

Mike

[vesnyder]

Mike - That has been my experience as well - my battery has been fading all Winter and this is the first time it has not started?

Kurt - I hope you are right! Should know over the next 24 hours?

Thanks

[vesnyder]

Put in my new Optima battery ($99 at Costco!) tonight and after several attempts it finally started. Was a bit rough initially but then settled in and idled fine. I shut it down and it started right back up. The real test will be tomorrow when it is cold.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by vesnyder
Put in my new Optima battery ($99 at Costco!) tonight and after several attempts it finally started. Was a bit rough initially but then settled in and idled fine. I shut it down and it started right back up. The real test will be tomorrow when it is cold.

Rough idle on startup but smooth out as you run the engine sound as though you might have flooded the engine. One or perhaps more than one cylinder might have been flooded and not firing on initial startup. Was there a lot of smoke when you finally started the engine?

[vesnyder]

There was plenty of smoke. It was probably flooded. I will give it a test today to see what happens when trying to start cold.

Now I have to go make a hold down bracket for my new Optima.