| Author | Message | ||
     Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1070 Registered: 09-2002 |
I read through some of the other threads regarding starting in the archives but they don't seem to sound like the same thing. Whenever temperatures are around freezing +/- 5* or so, my truck doesn't start very well. A bit on the weak side like it's thinking of stalling but this is only on cold starts. If I tap the gas a bit during this lag, it comes up and is happy. If the truck has been running for a while, it starts fine. Temperatures beyond that range it starts fine. Does anyone have any ideas or seen this problem before? | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 889 Registered: 05-2003 |
Alan, Someone just sent me a copy of the BSROA newsletter and there is an excellent article in it about winter temps. Topics included Freezing, Warm-up, Wipers, Doors and Door Locks, and Batteries. If you email me your fax number, I'll be glad to fax those two pages to you. Jamie | ||
| Don Leichtling (Scruffy) New Member Username: Scruffy Post Number: 10 Registered: 01-2004 |
Put Amsoil 10w40 synth. oil in your Disco and your problem will be solved and you will get better mileage also... | ||
| John Cronin (Jec) Member Username: Jec Post Number: 80 Registered: 02-2003 |
Alan: We've noted the same thing, not only in our 95 Disco, but in our similar vintage Chevy truck. I don't recall either of them doing it when they were young, or else it's just more pronounced now that they're at 100 k miles. I attribute it to a never-never land between being cold enough that the cold start circuitry keeps the engine running smoothly once it starts, and being warm enough that the engine doesn't care. I realize that's not a technical answer. I thought about testing and/or replacing the sensors involved (fuel temp? engine coolant temp? ...?), but have never gotten aggravated enough to do anything about it. We've also noted a similar problem (need to keep your foot on the gas for the first 30 seconds or so after starting) when the Rover has recently been run for a short while after a cold start, then shut down for 5 or 10 minutes, then restarted (and the ambient air temp is cold); again, I attribute it to the engine not knowing whether it is cold or warm, and so the idle circuitry is confused. I have noted on the Chevy (which is garaged outside, while the Rover is inside) that plugging in the block heater for an hour before starting (even though you don't need the heater at that temp to make the engine spin fast enough to start) warms it up enough to start easy and idle smoothly. Good luck with tracking it down. John | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1072 Registered: 09-2002 |
John - It sounds like we have similar problems. I replaced the engine fuel temperature sensor a few days ago thinking that was the culprit but it turns out that it's not (so I now have a spare working sensor). I still have the same problem. The engine coolant temp sensor is the next one I'm looking at and considering it's only $15, not a big expense for troubleshooting. The dealer can't figure it out as they never have my vehicle in those conditions. When they get it, it's usually been running for a while already or the temperature isn't in the range to trigger the problem. But the signs (temperature range trigger) point to a sensor working incorrectly hence my focus on temperature related sensors that affect the fuel system. The temperature has dropped to -10*C now so the problem has gone away again but I know it will come back again when the temperature rises a bit. If I figure it out, I'll post something here. Don - I run 5W-30 HD Quaker State oil in my truck which is right for this Alberta weather but thanks for the suggestion. |
