Car splutters to life when cold starting

Flibbles · 18 Apr 2013 at 00:10

Hi all,

I've just bought an MK1 Focus 2.0l with 76k on the clock - my problem is that about 75% of the time, when cold starting it'll splutter to life for a second or so. Afterwards, it idles and runs perfectly.

I've changed the spark plugs and given it a service minus fuel filter.

Any ideas? Ta!

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cokecan · 18 Apr 2013 at 08:07

Battery or starter motor?

Nomisf · 18 Apr 2013 at 10:49

Dodgy non return valve on the fuel rail/fuel pump possibly, click it between first and second stage ignition a few times before trying to start. Also, replace the fuel filter!

Dogbreath · 18 Apr 2013 at 12:57

Coolant temperature sensor is a possibility.

Flibbles · 18 Apr 2013 at 13:40

Thanks for the replies guys.

I doubt it's the battery as the previous owner recently fitted a new one, albeit on the cheap. It's a no name black jobby. As for the starter motor, it cranks fine and doesn't take a long time, never more than a second- it's only when it first starts after cranking that it splutters. I don't think it'd be that then?

I'll try this ignition thing - if it turns out to be this valve, is it an expensive job? Ta

Flibbles · 22 Apr 2013 at 16:32

Quick update - it seems to be getting worse.

It's as if the choke doesn't work properly - it'll cough and splutter into life (takes a good 2-3 seconds to actually fire up properly after cranking) and when stone cold, it'll immediately sit at 800rpm, not sounding right (as you'd expect when it's sitting at the warmed up idle speed when cold) and then, after a few seconds, it'll correct itself. Again, it runs and drives fine after that.

Ideas?

scratch · 22 Apr 2013 at 16:40

Dogbreath said:
Coolant temperature sensor is a possibility.

My thinking too. The only way to really find out though OP is to take it to a garage.

Dogbreath · 22 Apr 2013 at 18:15

Flibbles said:
Quick update - it seems to be getting worse.

It's as if the choke doesn't work properly - it'll cough and splutter into life (takes a good 2-3 seconds to actually fire up properly after cranking) and when stone cold, it'll immediately sit at 800rpm, not sounding right (as you'd expect when it's sitting at the warmed up idle speed when cold) and then, after a few seconds, it'll correct itself. Again, it runs and drives fine after that.

Ideas?

So have you ruled out the coolant temp sensor? This device controls what is effectively the "choke" on a fuel injected car.

-westy- · 23 Apr 2013 at 03:47

scratch said:
My thinking too. The only way to really find out though OP is to take it to a garage.

..or just replace the part himself, even if to rule it out?

Locky · 23 Apr 2013 at 07:45

I would get the car scanned to see if anything has cropped up.

Fuzz · 23 Apr 2013 at 08:23

Get some sort of OBD reader and bring up the live data in the morning before you start it. Have a look at what the ECU think the coolant temp is.
As said, sounds like this could be the issue.