Peter H wrote:
> My 2001 civic has always been a wee bit slow to fire. Even in the middle
> of the summer if it has sat all night it would turn over a raw times
> before catching.
>
> I bought the vehicle used about this time last year. It fired every day
> last winter without a problem. A couple of cranks and bang.
>
> Now it's starting to take more than that. In fact this morning I was
> afraid it wasn't going to catch. It was to the point where I was worried
> that I might begin wearing the battery down.
>
> I don't have the full history on the vehicle, but since I've owned it
> I've had the oil changed regularly and did the big tune-up at about 100
> Km. My mileage is quite constant at about 13.5 Kms per Litre. ( sorry
> but I'm Canadian). The car runs well and I'm putting on almost all
> highway miles. I have 110,000 kms on it and I believe that it's the
> original battery and alternator.
>
> Lately, for unknown reasons to me, I get the odd whiff of raw fuel from
> the vehicle, but my mileage hasn't changed.
>
> I would normally just change out the battery at this stage, but I'm not
> sure that that is the problem. It cranks fine and at good speed. Also
> the slow firing has been habitual, just getting worse.
>
> Any ideas from the experts. Could there be a fuel leak somewhere causing
> a vapour gap and slow starts?
>
> tia
>
> Peter H
--------------------------
Peter,

Tomorrow morning, try holding the gas pedal half-way to the floor (per
the Owner's manual) to determine if your engine is flooding overnight.
If it starts way better, it's probable that (one) injector is sticking
open and draining the fuel rail's pressure into the engine.

A couple tanks of Gasohol, or a bottle of good injector cleaner might
fix it.

Our Odyssey did it and was a bear to start after sitting overnight.
Mohawk PLUS gas fixed it right away.

'Curly'