Takes a long time to start after sitting in the cold weather ---

[alwayscode390]

Here is a vid of my car in 35 degree weather starting after sitting for a day. Takes about 4 seconds of turning the starter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrulW0XEWGY

I just went and started it after 6 days ... and it took about 6 seconds. I just about let off the starter before it kicked over.

After its been running , it will start in 2 seconds ... what I would consider normal.

The last owner warned me of this, and said its ok.

Im not really worried about anything but the fact that this cant be easy on the starter ... and I have been warned that the starter being under the intake manifold is an expensive / long job.

How strong are the starters? Is this normal behavior for our cars? Any advice you can give me?

---Car has 43k miles, New Injectors/fuel pump/pump regulator, 1990 ZR1 LPE Ported Package---

Thanks ---

[scottfab]

Normal.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

This hasn't been the case with my Z. It's been sitting outside because the shop and house garages are full at the moment.

Mine starts just as normal as when in the cold as it did in the warm months. Six seconds is a pretty long time. Mine fires quickly all the time. Sometimes as instant as the key is turned.

ADDITION
My statment above is AFTER I let the fuel pumps energize the fuel rails.

[Fully Vetted]

When you first turn on your key you will hear the fuel pumps start. Try waiting a few seconds before you engage the starter. I know it made a difference with my car.

I remember seeing your video of you starting your car over on CF and I didn't think it was going to start.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by Fully Vetted

When you first turn on your key you will hear the fuel pumps start. Try waiting a few seconds before you engage the starter. I know it made a difference with my car.

Ya beat me toit!

P.

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame Restorations

Mine fires quickly all the time. Sometimes as instant as the key is turned.

Lately after my car sits for a few weeks it will start instantly,its a little unnerving considering the oil hasn't has a chance to pump up.Marc H says its nothing to worry about so I guess its no big deal just cant understand why all of the sudden its doing this.My first thought was a leaky fuel injector.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Lately after my car sits for a few weeks it will start instantly,its a little unnerving considering the oil hasn't has a chance to pump up.Marc H says its nothing to worry about so I guess its no big deal just cant understand why all of the sudden its doing this.My first thought was a leaky fuel injector.

Honestly, it may be timing and compression just by the luck of the draw, so to speak, as the motor is shut off. This happens to me regularly enough.

Yes, it kinda takes you by surprise. I don't like it because I always like a longer cranking time in order to get some oil to the top of the heads, even though I have the check valve in the oil filter. And when this instant start happens, it always seems that the rpms are high initially, as well.

I spoke to both Pete and Marc about it and was told not to be concerned.

I also studied the old Lotus engine build data that I have. Their data showed 5 seconds to build oil pressure upon start-up. This was only one example.

[Z51JEFF]

[QUOTE=Blue Flame Restorations;157736]Honestly, it may be timing and compression just by the luck of the draw, so to speak, as the motor is shut off
/QUOTE]

Its a little odd that this would just start happening now after having the car for awhile now.Something else to take into account twice now in the last couple off months for a few seconds the car wasnt running on all cylinders,felt like it fouled a plug but it cleared up,straightened out.Might be an injector going South.Ive got a Haibeck chip and I was under the impression that a touch of extra crank time was programmed into the chip.Oh well,if those in the know said its not a problem,thats all I need to know.

[Paul Workman]

Well, 6 seconds seems a bit on the long side. Mine is about 3-4 seconds AFTER the fuel rail is charged.

Before rolling the ignition switch over to START, turn the switch to the "ON" position and listen to the fuel pumps. When they stop running, the rail is up to pressure, but it takes maybe a couple seconds before the rail (on my 90) is up to pressure. If I roll to the START position before the rail is charged, I can see how that might invite a backfire (NOT GOOD) at the very least. But, also add a second or two to the normal 3-4 second (cold) start time.

Once it has been started and run that day, the start time is much quicker - sometimes under a second!

And, if nobody told you, you want to hold the switch in the START position for almost another second after it fires to let the motor rpm start coming up. This avoids backfires which tend to blow hoses off the MAP and the Fuel Pressure Regulator (for starters) at the very least, or rupture diaphrams in said parts (rare, but happens). This trick might avoid a plenum pull to re-connect a vacuum hose. Just sayin...

P.

[Fully Vetted]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

...And, if nobody told you, you want to hold the switch in the START position for almost another second after it fires to let the motor rpm start coming up. This avoids backfires which tend to blow hoses off the MAP and the Fuel Pressure Regulator (for starters) at the very least, or rupture diaphrams in said parts (rare, but happens). This trick might avoid a plenum pull to re-connect a vacuum hose. Just sayin...

P.

Good info. I had not heard this before. Thanks, Paul.