Questions and Answers
Slow Starting Acura
Q. Dear Sir, I have a 1996 Acura Integra LS and recently got a got new battery installed, along with a complete tune-up, which included new spark plugs.
Lately, when I go to start my car, it takes about 2-3 for the engine to turn over, essentially, I'm not getting an immediate start. When i took the car in for a tune-up, I told them about this problem and asked them to replace the sparks, and to check the fuel injection system to see if it was dirty. The tune-up guy said everything was ok after he finished up.
My question for you is what do you think is wrong with my car? Do you think those additives which are supposed to clean fuel injectors would help in this case? Thanks for your advice in advance!
Sincerely,
OmidA. I'm going to do a bunch of assuming here. First I'm going to assume that the battery, charging and starting system are in good working order. I'm also going to assume that the full and complete tune-up was done as you said and when you say "2-3" you mean 2-3 seconds.
With that said 2-3 seconds is not an undue amount of time for the engine to crank before it starts, a little slow, but not terrible. However it may be a symptom of a fuel problem starting to appear.
Next time you go to start your car, turn the key to the ON position but do not start it. Count off five seconds and turn the key off. Do this once more then the third time start the car. If it fires right away you may have a problem with either the fuel pump check valve, fuel pressure regulator or a leaky injector.
What you are doing with this is making sure that the fuel system has full pressure before you start the engine. Low fuel pressure will cause an extended crank time. The system is supposed to maintain full pressure, at least over night, so it will start easy the next time you go to start the engine.
If the engine starts right away, then you need to have a fuel pressure test done to determine which component is leaking down.
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