Car takes too many cranks to start up....
 

So yeah, usually in the early cold morning my car will take anywhere between 3-6 cranks before starting. I find that weird and thinking that something is wrong. I have new OEM plugs/wires and battery. So is it a weak starter or something? Distributor cap maybe? Once the car gets going throughout the day it'll start within a few cranks, but not like it was in the morning.

Lil help here? TIA.

-Dan

Get a compression check, you may have a weak and tired motor.

Wouldn't hurt to get a compression check for peace-of-mind, but I don't think 3-6 cranks is bad at all. Especially in cold weather.

I doubt it's that, I've had my car dynoed twice (different times) and both times it yielded excellent vacuum, prefect boost (except for one time but I fixed that) and strong pulls. My motor has about 58k miles on it and very very carefully maintained, and frequently checked.

Although another compression wouldn't hurt either. THanks.

-Dan

coolant leaking into the combustion chamber?

Do you mean 3-6 cranks or 3-6 turns of the key? 3-6 turns of the key seems to be pretty common for FDs from my observation.

Did you just say distributor cap?? :)

Mine alwys takes a few cranks to start. It took me a while to get used to. The 350 in my Monte starts with like half a crack, so it makes my 7 seem to take even longer than it does.
Evil, could it be a fuel issue? I know that when my car was running rich(because I blew the primary turbo), that it did take longer to start.
What i'm trying to say is that if you're running rich for any reason, I think the car will take longer to start.
Just a thought...

Jim - yes my car does tend to run rich, but somehow when I added in the K&N filter and got on the dyno the a/f ratio was near perfect throughout the graph. But before that it did run rich, thus making me replace the plugs sooner. Interesting............

3-6 cranks does kinda seem a lot for me, my previous car was a 5th gen Prelude and that shit takes like less than a crank to start so yeah.

Juancm = :D

R1Outcast - What I mean by 3-6 cranks is: Put the key and turn it once, let it crank a few times and then it starts. But that only happens in the morning. Oh well.

-Dan

I think that's an acceptable amount of cranks. I bet you're alright.

spark plugs?

I've never had to turn my key more than once to get it started ... I give it the slightest bit of gas and it start without a hitch almost immediately every single time.

Not that I'm bragging :o:, but for frame of reference, I turn the key once, the engine cranks maybe 3 times max and it starts. Even if it's sat for a week and it's cold out.

Is the fuel system priming itself OK?
How fast is it cranking? A worn starter (or other electrical problem) may crank slowly and not build compression as easily.

Yes I turn the key once, but it'll be like 3-6 quick cranks before starting up. But once it's warmed up all it takes is 2-3 cranks to start.

BTW, before everytime I start my car I turn the key to the "ON" position for a few seconds before turning it to start. I was told doing that it'll clear out any "misc" fuel?

-Dan

i wouldnt worry about it in the least. Mine starts everytime with one key turn, and you hear three distinct cranks and then it fires to life. You're not that far off at 6. IMO, id start gettin worried when it takes 6 key turns ;)

This is what I usually do. The most that it has taken for me to start my car was about 3 or 4 because it had a weak battery. Good luck, I hope its nothing serious.

Thanks guys. A compression check will be in order in a few weeks. If there's anything else wrong I'll let you guys know.

-Dan

So, what weight oil are you currently using...Hmmm?:eek:

Mine usually takes about 3-4 cranks, when cold, with new engine (5k miles), and a new starter (<1k miles).

I think its normal...?

When its warm it takes one usually, maybe 2.

mine takes about 1/2 turn no matter how cold it is.

Question: Does low compression lead to problems starting the car?

let us know what numbers the compression test comes back with.

For this time around I'm using Mobil 1 10W50 because I wanted to see if there's any difference between Mobil 1 vs. RP vs. RL........ I noticed that oil pressure was higher, and that's about it. Usually I run 20W50 RP.

ZB - Your car is super duper cool man :eek: :D


-Dan

wait, your saying the engien makes a chug chug chug sound adn then starts up??? and you think that's long?

how long have you owned your fd again?

I've had my car for not too long but not too short, why? Everyone seems to agree that it's normal so I guess it's normal.

-Dan

i was just wondering if it just started or something. in anycase i think its totally normal.

Well I guess it's been doing that, just that I've taken more notice of every little thing that goes on with my car more frequently than when I first got it. So hell if it's normal to you guys then it's normal for me too :)

-Dan

From my experiences Auto Tranny 7's start up quicker than Manual Tranny 7's.

When I had a auto in my car it start up with me barely holding the key.

Now with the Manual it take a little longer. It takes the same amount of time now as every other Manual Tranny 7 I have ever been in.

I think the Auto start might spin be strong/faster than the Manual Starter.

maybe they put a stronger starter motor cuz theres a more resistance on the engine with a torque converter than the flywheel? *shrugs* im j/ spitballing but i doubt they would, because common parts save manufacturers money.

cool? how so? I thought it was just a typical 7 with gunmetal dash, digital gauges, water injection and custom leather seats.

Oh sorry to hijack your thread.

You've got molasses in there now.

Switch to Mobil 5W-30 for the winter. Your motor will spool up MUCH faster, you'll put less stress on the starter and get oil flowing much quicker to critical components.

if it starts harder when its warm it usually a sign of compression being low. At least thats been my observation. Cold starts hard. Hmmm. Could be ignitors maybe?

Mine always start on the first crank. 105k miles.
Take your car to an Auto parts store that checks your battery for free. (Autozone) They also can see if your voltage is correct when you try starting.
Check your battery/post, make sure you have good (dual) ground.

as long as it idles your good dan :bigthumb:

HHmm...... The car starts up just perfectly fine after it's warmed up. It's just in the cold morning that it takes a bit more cranks to get it going. Actually sometimes it doesn't even take 6 cranks, sometimes it'll just start in like 3-4 cranks in the morning, but when I park inside a closed garage it starts up just fine in the cold morning. OH well......... Still gonna do a compression check.....

-Dan

Even the RX8 I test drove took a few cranks to start. I think it's just a rotary thing.

exactly

hell my dad's BMW 540i takes 8 cranks to start. Its a very high powered starter so it takes a VERY small amount of time but you can hear it crank 8 times....maybe cuz it has 8 cylinders and makes sure theres air/fuel in every one before lighting the spark off...who knows. But if thats the case, each rotor has 3 chambers, so it would almost make sense for it to crank 3 times. If it starts on one key turn drive it and be happy! :)

-Zach