Hard starts below freezing

[nghtshd88]

In the past month its been starting to drop below freezing here in the northeast and the colder it gets the harder it is to start my LS (04 3.0). Perfectly fine when its not cold but its around 32 then on the first try it will kick twice and thats it but always starts fine on the 2nd try. Battery is new and definitely good. I have no codes or issues at all when running. Im assuming it may be the plugs or coils?

 

[joegr]

Do you mean click as in the starter doesn't rotate the crankshaft of the engine?
If so, that has nothing to do with plugs or coils. That would be battery (you've done that already though), loose cables (like the battery cable), bad starter relay, bad starter solenoid (part of the starter), or bad starter.

 

[G-RELL]

.....video if your not sure what it is

 

[nghtshd88]

Nooo the starter is perfectly fine. Battery is fairly new and in good shape. What I mean is it just has a very hard time firing. Like if you switched spark plug cables up on a car and try to start it. Itll try to start and sputter once or twice.

 

[Robot]

Nooo the starter is perfectly fine. Battery is fairly new and in good shape. What I mean is it just has a very hard time firing. Like if you switched spark plug cables up on a car and try to start it. Itll try to start and sputter once or twice.

What weight oil are you using?

 

[msgtusmc]

Go to a Advance Auto, Autozone or PepBoys, they will analyze complete starting system free, give status of each part. Remove & clean then reconnect all cables on battery & starter first. Apply dielectric grease to all terminals & connectors. Lived south of Montreal for 21 years, 30 -60 below in winter, had every problem cold weather could throw @ me! Quality oil especially important in winter, with anti-freeze. Make sure PVC valve & ERG valve or clean & functional. Fuel filter been replaced?

 

[joegr]

Nooo the starter is perfectly fine. Battery is fairly new and in good shape. What I mean is it just has a very hard time firing. Like if you switched spark plug cables up on a car and try to start it. Itll try to start and sputter once or twice.

Probably plugs and coils. If you haven't changed them all (at the same time) in the last year or three, it's time.

 

[G-RELL]

its hard to start, or it runs rough after starting???

 

[LS4me]

Water in the fuel? Questionable fuel (like from an independent)? I noticed after about 6 months of Costco gas (they use no detergents here) my car was getting harder and harder to start.

 

[purevilpleasure]

I know my LS seems to be the only one that doesn't do that....My Expy and F150 both do what you are saying so I understand.

You start it.....and it may crank a bit longer then usual......and once it starts it stumbles and dies....it may do it a few more times before it finally stays running.

If you give it gas it will stay running...I have to do this when it's negative outside.

When was the last time the MAF sensor was cleaned?

 

[nghtshd88]

I only run 93 octane and it never sits, also vary gas stations. Is the fuel filter out in the open? Battery terminals are spotless.

Again it runs amazing, I have zero issues when running, no codes nothing so I would assume the coils are fine. It wont kick all the way on the first try when starting when its cold. Is there a way to check if theyre originals? Last owner said they were done in the past year.

Havent checked egr or pcv as I believe its buried?

And Im using 5w-20.

 

[LS4me]

Is the fuel filter out in the open?


Haven't checked egr or pcv as I believe its buried?

And Im using 5w-20.

Sort of. It's behind the driver's side front fender liner.

Yes it is. Under the upper intake manifold.

 

[jrand]

my original coils (05 3.0) had a white sticker on top. believe they said motorcraft too, but dont quote me on that. i dont think your issue is coils tho. i think you would have sputter/hesitation/etc while driving if it were the coils.

I would check air filter, clean MAF, clean throttle body (teflon safe CRC only), run a bottle of lucas through, fuel filter is probably your next semi-easy thing if none of that cured it.. and thats all based on someone saying you already did the battery