Hard Start Cold Engine
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Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: california
Hard Start Cold Engine
I’m in SoCal. When I start the car in the morning, it will turn over and cut out. If I pump the gas pedal and then start the car with my foot on the gas pedal it will start up and idle. I can then run about and when I stop and restart I only need to turn the key. The battery, starter and alternator are all good. There are no misfires; the engine runs smoothly. I noticed some stickiness in the gas pedal which also goes away. Also, I did have a small evap leak code. I changed the battery so I’m waiting for the codes to repopulate. Any ideas?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,560
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
'Been a while!
When you say cut out, do you mean it fails to hold idle unless you give some throttle? If yes clean out the IACV. Be carful with the screw heads and at the end make sure the slug can rotate freely.
Salim
When you say cut out, do you mean it fails to hold idle unless you give some throttle? If yes clean out the IACV. Be carful with the screw heads and at the end make sure the slug can rotate freely.
Salim
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: california
Thanks as always, Salim. Since I can get to idle quickly after giving it some throttle and hold idle after releasing the throttle (in addition to having no issue with starts the rest of the day) is this something I can wait on for a bit? Or could this lead to a stall while driving?
I wish my presence here had more to offer than just questions, but you and this site are the only reason my car is still going strong after 245,000 miles.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,560
Likes: 1,385
From: Austin, TX
Check out the DIY on IACV.
On carbureted engines, we used to have automatic chokes. With fuel injection every thing is metered and controlled by ECU. When engine is cold a dedicated air path is introduced by the IACV and in fact it regulates the idle throughout.
If you don't fix it, it will get worse over time and the slug may totally freeze. That may heat up the coil around it, leading to full replacement. The channels also become harder to clean if left un attended. You may be at that point where you need a new IACV, but I would say start with and attempt to clean.
Salim
On carbureted engines, we used to have automatic chokes. With fuel injection every thing is metered and controlled by ECU. When engine is cold a dedicated air path is introduced by the IACV and in fact it regulates the idle throughout.
If you don't fix it, it will get worse over time and the slug may totally freeze. That may heat up the coil around it, leading to full replacement. The channels also become harder to clean if left un attended. You may be at that point where you need a new IACV, but I would say start with and attempt to clean.
Salim
Driver
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 75
Likes: 14
From: Tennessee
Pumping the pedal does nothing on a fuel injected engine. Holding the pedal down will allow more air inside. It sounds like you may have a leaky fuel injector(s) that are flooding the engine after sitting for a while. Putting the pedal to the floor is exactly what you do to try to start a flooded engine. As you are driving it throughout the day, it doesn't have enough time to leak much fuel inside, so you don't have an issue then. I would have a look at your fuel circuit.
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