TurtlePowerCivic

Ok, it's about -20 degrees outside and my car isn't starting. So far I've tried throwing heet in the gas tank, hooking up jumpers to a car that actually runs, and turning the ignition a whole bunch. I have a brand new battery so thats not the problem. I noticed some smoke coming off of the part in my engine pictured below and it smelled a little burnt. Here's some pics with commentary...

This part was smoking a little:



Somethings leaking and it smells like gas:


Leaks are not cool, especially in -20 degree weather.

SpankedYA!

Holy ----. Your car not starting is a good thing by looking at those pics. So does it turn over?

Cray91

At -20 you are starting to have trouble atomizing fuel. When it hits the pistons, runners, valves ect.

You can also flood it super simple at these temps. Put the pedal all the way to the floor. That will cut the injector pulse width in half (most cars) and get some more air in there.

Otherwise if it is turning over fast you can try a block heater, starting spray ect.

TurtlePowerCivic

It turns over, it even putters a bit but still doesn't catch. I don't have an fmu(i have the safc II). When I was trying to start it I pushed the pedal to the floor while turning it over but to no avail. I pumped the pedal a little without turning it over and then tried again, and again.

I guess I'll try the starting spray.

Thanks for all the advice so far. HMT is the

samson

Where do you need to go in -20* weather?


I saw on the weather channel today that it was like -61* wind chill in Winnepeg this morning. That's chilly.


JP

Darkelvis

If you have a block heater, use it. Also go get an oil pan heater. It sticks right to the bottom of the pan. CHANGE THE OIL or you WILL hydrolock your engine (your oil pan is now full of gas), put in new spark plugs, hook jumper cables to your car and another car so you don't kill the battery off, pedal to the floor and crank....Just keep cranking, the car will start.....I've dealt with A LOT of no starts at the shop this past month, this is exactly how we get them running.

Cray91

^^Don't go tooooo long on the starter. They are meant to be short usage motors. You wouls have to lay on it forever, but some people do it.

89sipimpin

Damn man, thats rough. Settings still the same on the safc? My car's have been hesitant so start lately but nothing near that bad. I'd check it and make sure nothings off with the injector wiring, and also make sure its getting proper spark. Did you guys install the MSD stuff? I'd like to help but i've had a full garage for the last like 3 months, so i'm pretty stuffed myself.

blackice90hb

Had the same problem with the Volvo tonight. its nowhere near as cold, but in 35 degree and lower temps, it always sucks at starting. But, I put new plugs in it thursday (new 81k motor), it's been fine till tonite. Its tried to fire a few times, but never started. Eventually it wouldnt do that, so I went and got some Starter Fluid. Hell, that ---- just pooled in my intake. I pull the intake off and open up the TB and spray in there- stil no start. Its getting spark, I checked that bfore getting the spray. I guess I'll change plugs again tommorow. There damn Bosch plugs are starting to ------- add up. I just replace a new set of Platnums with the Super whatever the *****, the high level non plat plug. Oh well, if it dont start in the morning, I'll be at Autozone AGAIN.

Sry for the thread jack, cold weather is teh gayness.