4 Reasons Why Cars Are Hard to Start When the Engine is Cold

Motor vehicles with a cold engine must be warmed up for a while to avoid any issues.

However, often cars cannot start when cranked in the morning.

The causes of a car being difficult to start when the engine is cold must be known in order to fix it. Let's check the review below!

1. Low Battery Voltage

In the morning, you should warm up the car first before using it to avoid sudden breakdowns. However, the condition that causes panic in the morning is when the car cannot be started.

The first possible cause of this is low battery voltage, resulting in no power to turn the engine.

To fix it, you can use a voltmeter or multimeter to check the battery condition. Make sure the source of the problem is the battery, so that a proper solution can be found.

If the battery is the main issue, you can ask someone else to push the car until the engine starts.

2. Problematic Spark Plugs

Another common condition is problematic spark plugs, which prevent the car engine from starting. One reason a car is difficult to start when the engine is cold is dirty spark plugs.

You can use a wire or sandpaper to clean the spark plugs, which can help the vehicle start again, and make sure to clean carefully.

If the spark plugs are not dirty, the car owner can check the gap on the spark plugs. Ensure that they are not too tight or too loose so that the car can start when the engine is cold.

Spark plugs that are too loose can be tightened, and vice versa, or you can also replace the spark plugs if they are worn out and thin.

Read also: Tips for Recognizing Symptoms of Damaged Car Spark Plugs

3. Flooded Carburetor

Cars released in the 1990s still use carburetors as a place to mix fuel and air. One common problem is a flooded carburetor due to too much fuel.

As a result, the car engine cannot start when cranked in the morning. This issue of a car being difficult to start when the engine is cold can be resolved by slowly disassembling this component.

After that, you need to readjust the float inside the carburetor so that the fuel entering is not too much. If you cannot do it yourself, you can take the car to a workshop or call a mechanic.

4. Weak Fuel Pump

A car that can start when cranked has a smooth flow of fuel to the carburetor. Therefore, a fuel pump is needed to pump fuel from the tank to the carburetor. If this component is weak, its function cannot be maximized, making it difficult for the car to start when the engine is cold.

Therefore, you need to replace this component to avoid difficulties when starting the car. Alternatively, the car owner can lightly tap the fuel pump to get it working again and flow fuel to the carburetor.

This condition when the ignition key is on, making it difficult to start the car when the engine is cold can be resolved. Driving the car in the morning is an essential activity that you should not miss. It is important to warm up the car engine before use.

Read also :  4 Tips for Maintaining Cars that Use Gasoline Fuel Systems