Every winter... This happens.

[manowar821]

I've got a Mazda MX-3, RS version. Every winter, there are one or two nights where the temp goes below -5 or so, and my car will NOT start the next day. I have to wait, or beat the hell out of the starter to get it to start (I don't really beat it, I'm very aware of how to use a starter conservatively). I use that "iso-heet" crap, most of the time, at least I try to. The little guy starts just fine usually, pops right on in the summer, and doesn't act funny at all. It doesn't burn oil, doesn't leak, doesn't do shit. Just one or two days each winter, I'll be stuck without my car.

What causes this?? I've asked several mechanics, and they've said either a bad starter (BS according to others, but I don't know) or water freezing in the fuel lines. Thus, the "iso-heet".

Is there ANYTHING I can do aside from a complete engine and accessory rebuild to stop this from happening? The thing drives and runs perfectly if it starts, and it only fails to start, like I said, once or twice in the winter... Of course, it's always fun almost running the battery dead trying to get it running, and then needing a jump to try again the next day!

Thank you guys.

 

[vshah]

engine block heater? find a garage to park in?

 

[Colt45]

it cranks fine, just takes a long time to fire?

few things come to mind.. 1, as you already know.. frozen gas. throw a cup of alcohol in the tank.

2. facked coolant temp sender, so the car thinks it's warmer than it is, and doesn't give it the proper amount of prime / enrichment. Once it does start, does it stumble/hesitate while it's cold? that's an enrichment problem. Worth looking into anyways, for what they cost...

vacuum leaks seem to be more debilitating in the cold too, IME.. which would also give you stumblyness / lean.

 

[manowar821]

Originally posted by: vshah
engine block heater? find a garage to park in?

No and no, not at this time. I definitely want a garage, but it's not an option, right now.

Originally posted by: Colt45
it cranks fine, just takes a long time to fire?

few things come to mind.. 1, as you already know.. frozen gas. throw a cup of alcohol in the tank.

2. facked coolant temp sender, so the car thinks it's warmer than it is, and doesn't give it the proper amount of prime / enrichment. Once it does start, does it stumble/hesitate while it's cold? that's an enrichment problem. Worth looking into anyways, for what they cost...

vacuum leaks seem to be more debilitating in the cold too, IME.. which would also give you stumblyness / lean.

Thanks, I'll look into that coolant temp sender, that sounds a little closer to what I'm experiencing. I checked all my tubes recently, so I don't think it's a leak, but it never hurts to check again.

On another note, at around 15F and lower, the starter motor starts off a little slow for a second or two, but then turns over just fine, usually starting the engine without trouble after gaining the torque back from the cold (a momentarily slow starter in the morning is normal in the cold, I'm sure). When it doesn't start, like what I'm experiencing, it turns over and the engine randomly bumps/jumps along with it, but never keeps going. And you're asking about stumbling, after starting? Well, it does so for only a couple seconds, maybe up to a minute. I've been told this is water being coughed up, but if it's a temp read issue, that makes sense. The exhaust gags for the same amount of time, too, but then it purrs like usual, afterward.

 

[StageLeft]

Is it even possible to get an engine block heater run off a separate battery (assuming you cannot run a long extension cord)? Clearly it would be your best solution, I think you can buy even engine block blankets or something that are kind of temporarily thrown into the engine compartment and they are not crazy expensive.

 

[LTC8K6]

It almost sounds like the battery is the problem.

 

[ItTheCow]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
It almost sounds like the battery is the problem.

I second this. A cold/frozen battery will no put out as much amperage as a warm one (hence why they list Cranking Amps and COld Cranking Amps on the battery label)

 

[manowar821]

I don't know if it's the battery... It was just replaced during the spring. Also, the starter spins fine, it's getting enough juice. The engine refuses to do anything other than jolt randomly.

 

[desy]

How old, how many miles
When was its last tune-up

 

[darom]

Put the charger the night before on your battery. Get up in the morning and try it again. If it still struggles, you will know it is most likely _not_ your battery. An automotive shop should be able to test your battery for free.

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

My 93 Silverado does the same thing when it's super cold. Turns over really slow, but once it starts and warms up there is no problem. It came with a block heater when I bought it a few years ago, and the difference in night/day when I have it plugged in for a few hours before starting it. Fired up like normal after a couple nights of -30 temps. I have it rigged up with an extension cord on an outdoor timer.