Engine Hard To Start Cold, Starts Fine When Warm : Need Advice

[sunny747]

Hello experts,

i'm driving an old mitsubishi lancer Ecar (evo 3 model) with 4g63na engine. very smooth car so far.

but i'm having this issue recently. It's getting difficult to start on a cold engine, it coughs for a while then eventually starts. But its starts like a charm when the the engine is hot.

i have got a new battery. i drive on LPG and gasohol 95. haven't changed spark plugs for a year. 6000km+, yet to change the engine oil.

but i have a doubt if above reasons are the cause of slow start in the morning.

please advice,

thanks mate

[Lickey]

If it has an automatic choke, perhaps this isnt working?

[Stradavarius37]

Isn't it always hot in Thailand?

[sotsira]

How old is old?

How many klms has the engine done?

If the engine is cranking as normal and it doesn't fire up, then it could be low

compression due to worn cylinder bores and pistons.

You can have it compression tested when cold to check each cylinder condition

and at the same time inspect the plugs.

Or

The injection system cold start is malfunctioning.

[TommoPhysicist]

run it longer on gasohol before stopping the engine.

[BSJ]

This problem falls into the "How long is a piece of string category"!

[isawasnake]

you could put some thin oil in it. a temp solution, but if you dont drive great distances it really isnt bad. i switched to a thinner oil when i moved close to my work in the states. only a 3 mile drive, started right up easily, and your oil doesnt need to be too viscous at those minimal temps.

[antpet]

Sounds like the wrong tyres to me but then I'm not a mechanic.

[transam]

If it is injected then the onboard ecu (COMPUTER) controls the mixture at different temperatures to start and run the motor. The problem is many sensors. One fails and your stuffed. Connection to a main agent computer diagnostic ''should'' reveal all.

[sunny747]

thank you all....i'll take it to the mechanic this weekend and have it checked ....

i changed spark plug, engine oil etc...still the same prob....still coughing when starting in the morning....

[tinfoilhat]

thank you all....i'll take it to the mechanic this weekend and have it checked ....

i changed spark plug, engine oil etc...still the same prob....still coughing when starting in the morning....

maybe you should not smoke so much the night before