View Full Version : Starting problems?
Bexcat
03-29-2005, 12:01 PM
So the last few times I've backed the Cougar out and washed it then pulled it back into the garage I've found after a few hours of sitting it won't start. I'll have to press the gas peddle to the floor and crank it then it would start. It would smoke and idle rough about a min. I guess the car just doesn't like being started, moved, and then sitting.
I guess I have to let it warm up some, although this year is the first time I ever recall it doing it. Anyone else ever have this problem?
Side note: Holding the peddle to the floor while cranking it helps to clear out a "flooded" situation.
gyger
03-29-2005, 01:54 PM
I always let my car run for atleast 5 minutes if I need to move it unless I just
drove it and need to move it quick.
moister from washing it maybe?:shrug:
akronstreetracer
03-29-2005, 02:24 PM
do u wash under your hood... if u do its prob water on the coil pack or somting . it has happend to me a few times dont' seem like much of a big deal..
B3NN3TT
03-29-2005, 02:54 PM
Yep, any moisture in, on, or around your car turns to vapor under the hood and COLLECTS there. It infiltrates your plug wires and coil pack connections, and gives you spark problems.
New plug wires will help, as well as plenty of dielectric grease under the boots. Also not garaging your car immediately after washing alleviates this. Take it out for a drive, let the public see her. THEN put her away.
Bexcat
03-29-2005, 05:40 PM
No washing under the hood in any of these cases. The first time it did it I changed the plugs and wires and used plenty of diaelectric grease. I think it has more to do w/ the cold start and the engine dumping more fuel in it until it warms up.
I know about driving it around the block and letting it run a few minutes, it just seems odd that it started doing it this year and never before.
B3NN3TT
03-29-2005, 07:10 PM
It's not the plugs, it's the wires. And it doesn't matter if you wash under the hood or not. The water under the car evaporates into the engine bay regardless, and keeping it in the garage with no circulating air makes the underhood humidity WAY too high.
Maybe leave the hood up after garaging it. That could keep the moisture down.
I degrease and wash my entire engine top and bottom fairly regularly and have never had issues with starting- I wash this thing all the time and have never had issues so far. :shrug:
I would guess that it has more to do with emisions type stuff...O2 sensors, cats, etc, especially considering youve had recent issues in that area.