"cavetrekker" <cavetrekker@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:BDD547CD.588E%cavetrekker@yahoo.com...
> We have a 97 civic coupe that we passed on to our daughter. It has a
> strange
> problem I can't figure out. Last night we replaced the battery and it
> wouldn't start today. I came home and after spending about thirty minutes
> checking stuff out while she tried to start it I got in it and tried to
> start it giving it a little gas and it sputtered a little and a cloud of
> white smoke came out of the tail pipe it and it missed a little and within
> 10 seconds it was running fine. After I got to thinking I remembered when
> we
> put the battery in it she started it and let it run a few seconds and then
> shut it off. I also remembered a couple of times before when I had started
> the engine for a few seconds and then let it set overnite it did the same
> thing. I can't decide if the engine is sweating and getting moisture in it
> or if it is some kind of fuel issue? Any ideas?
> Thanks,
> Patrick
>
>
I'm new to cold country (I came from Phoenix) but the locals warned me about
a phenomenon that matches your experience. If the engine is started, run
without warming up and shut off, the water vapor from combustion will
condense on the plugs. In cold weather the water will freeze onto the plugs
and the car won't start in the morning.

Mike