Cranks but will not start, especially in cold weather

DRUNGE

MEMBER
2003 HONDA ELEMENT
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

About a month ago, I started having intermittent starting issues with my vehicle. It turns over just fine. In my attempt to fix the problem, I have done the following:
Air filter replacement, fuel pump replacement, fuel pump relay replaced, coil packs replaced, spark plugs replaced.
After each of these repairs, the starting issue seemed to improve, but later recurred. I don't know what to try next. The last repair was the spark plugs, after which it started a couple of dozen times, then crank only on the first really cold morning. (-10 F.) I am out of ideas. The battery was new in September of 2021. Any suggestions?

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

If you are trying to start the vehicle in -10 degrees F and this is the only time this happens, then that is expected operation.

However, if it does not start at all then clearly that is an issue but if it cranks a few times and then it starts then that is not abnormal. We have options but I don't think you are going to replace parts and make it any better.

What happens is when you try to crank the engine the air is so cold that the fuel does not atomize very well so it will take a bit more cranking to get the air fuel ratio correct for it to start.

What I would suggest is two things. First check the actual pressure when this is happening because it may still be low pressure due to the cold.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Next is use starter fluid in the intake when it is cold and see if the engine starts quicker.

If either of these work you may need to look into a block heater so that when you go to start the engine it is actually much warmer then what the ambient temperature is.

Please run through this and let us know what you find. Thanks