Okay, I've noticed a definite change in how my '90 RS handles starting in cold weather. I've noticed that sometimes when the weather's below 32 F, when I go to start it, the starter scrapes and/or after the initial crank, the RPM will dip and nearly hit 0, the car makes a noise like the mechanical equivalent of a sneeze and then it fires up like normal (the latter lasts about 3 seconds). This doesn't happen every time it's cold, but it never happens when the temp is above 45 F. The starter may just be attributed to me letting off the key too soon or too late for some reason, but I have no clue about the 'sneeze'. Is it possible I've got moisture somewhere in my lines that could cause this? Maybe the battery? I always give my fuel pump a few seconds to turn on before cranking it, so I know it's working...

The reason I say 'suddenly' sensitive to cold is that this car was in Wisconsin for two winters and while it wasn't driven as much as it is in NC, it fired up in weather well below zero with no problem whatsoever in the past. I'm honestly surprised that 32 degrees would even faze the car. However, there's a few factors at work:

1.) In WI, the car was garage kept; here in NC, I have no garage or carport. The garage wasn't heated, but it was sheltered from wind and the elements.

2.) The battery was replaced last April; it used to have some cheap brand in it(I think it was the Autozone store brand). The charge on that one was lower than it should have been, but it did the job, so I never bothered to replace it until I had to. I replaced it with a DieHard Weather Handler that's supposed to be meant for winter weather...maybe not? *Note, the DieHard battery IS giving the right charge.

Any help would be appreciated. As yet, the car hasn't failed to fire up on the first try, but if this could potentially be a worsening problem, I'd like to deal with it now.

 

Hi there.
is it fuel injected or carburated.
If it is carburated, check your choke. Maybe all gummed up.

 

hmm. If it were me I would try cleaning the IAC incase old grease was gumming it up when it was cold and thick.

 

My TBI AND my Vortec both start with the same sneeze you mention when it is colder than about 30* outside.

 

It's fuel injected; I had been running fuel injector cleaner through it about once a month until I had the issue with my fuel filter getting severely clogged about two months ago. Since then, I've been hesitant to put anything other than fuel into my gas tank.

 

It sounds to me like you do have water in your fuel system.
There are several products that can help you purge the water from your system.
Stay away from the ones that contain alcohol !
It does not get rid of the water, instead it makes the water sit at the bottom of the fuel tank. with normal driving conditions the fuel gets tossed around and this can make a nice big chunk of water/alcohol/slime (from mildue caused by moisture buildup) get sucked up right into your injection system and severly damage the system.

Moisture buildup is a bigger problem than most people realise.
It is not just seasonal, in fact it should be treated for all year round.

 

Any brand in particular that works best (and is easily available at most auto stores)? Thanks

 

delphi products are good.
Just make sure no alcohol.
delphi has both.