Problems starting the engine when it's cold (vehicles, idle, spark plugs)

[TCAS007]

Since today my wife's 2002 Saturn SL1 4 cyl has the following problem:

Missfires while trying to start when cold and only starts with lots of gas. Smells gas then but runs great and idles great.

Needs a bit more oil than usual but am not sure there is gas in the oil. Though so at first. (smell)

What could be wrong?

[tickyul]

If it is only cold weather starting, it could be a problem with the battery.

When batteries get cold, it is a lot harder for electrons to flow through the chemical structures of the battery. So you may get the car started.....but, it is taking longer due to the fact that your engine is not reaching an optimal cranking speed for starting.

The charging system should be ok in cold weather, as long as it is not too cold.

Gas is real rich upon starting, this compounds the problem.


Maybe invest in a car battery cover.

[johnfrisco]

Ditto. Also replace spark plugs if not done in a while.

[TCAS007]

Checked the battery and sparks, all fine.

Will go have the car checked next week.

[jtur88]

Even if the battery is very weak, the car should run fine once it has started. Not a battery issue AFTER the car starts, which seems to be the issue described.

How cold does it need to be for this to happen? If the engine is misfiring, there is fuel being injected which is not being burned, resulting the gasoline smell. A can of injector cleaner in the gas tank would be the first and cheapest diagnostic. It could be something as simple as a cracked porcelain insulation on a spark plug, which when cold, would open a wider gap and allow the spark to leak through the plug walls. Or maybe, on a 10-year old car, a new plug wiring harness is needed, with spark loss through degraded insulation on your spark plug wires.

[snofarmer]

It may not be the case with this problem but
"Even if the battery is very weak, the car should run fine once it has started"

On these new vehicles with a ecm, it may need to be over a set minimum voltage to start. It may crank over but it has to have enough voltage to fire off.

Meany problems can come from a weak battery.

[Falconman]

Here is an old school trick of the trade when you have a cold start problem. Squirt just a LITTLE starting fluid into the air intake. You can start it plenty of times with just one can of the stuff.

[snofarmer]

Originally Posted by Falconman

Here is an old school trick of the trade when you have a cold start problem. Squirt just a LITTLE starting fluid into the air intake. You can start it plenty of times with just one can of the stuff.

Just don't use it on a diesel with a grid heater.
It will ignite it in the intake before it gets to the cylinders.

if, if your going to try it, remove the air filter and have someone crank it then give it a little shot of starting fluid right into the intake plenum.

But you'll still need good battery (s).

[jtur88]

Originally Posted by snofarmer

On these new vehicles with a ecm, it may need to be over a set minimum voltage to start. It may crank over but it has to have enough voltage to fire off.
.

But that would be an all-or-nothing threshold. It would either run or not run. Like digital TV reception: Perfect or black. The OP is getting snow.

[RayinAK]

Probably a problem relating to airflow? The cold air coming into the motor should be restricted on cold starts, much like a choke does for a carburetor.