Star09

Well, I went out to warm up my car last night. I started it from the passenger seat as I wasn't going to be the one driving and was letting it warm up as per the norm. But after a minute or two of idling, the whole engine sound/feel changed. If it was a regular engine I would say it sounded/felt like it was loping. It hadn't been long enough to have warmed up yet, but it scared me due to the abrupt change. Kind of a slump-a-slump-a sound/feel.

So, I turned it off as I was climbing into the driver's seat. I didn't notice an engine light or anything, but now it won't start. I am going to attempt the process to start it as if it is flooded, but I'm not sure that is the case.

Any ideas? What could cause it to change so dramatically during idle while cold? I have never heard/felt it like that before.

Any ideas, please?
Thank you!


Note: I have not changed the ignition parts yet, but it has been running fine and I don't baby it, I drive it hard most of the time, especially my husband. :-)

We took it for a compression test, but the dealership said it was too cold of temps outside to get a proper reading...

Star09

Oh, it will turn over and sounds normal, just after a few turns it doesn't sound the same anymore. Like it is normal at first and then when it doesn't start the sound changes. I can't describe it very well. I do have a good battery, so I will try the flooded engine starting procedure.

And it's an auto.

Star09

Update:
I performed the flooded engine starting procedure and now, when I try to start it it is turning over and sounds like it starts, but it will only run while I keep cranking the starter, then it slowly runs down and that's it.

Krod26

If you keep your foot slightly pressed on the pedal does it keep it from stalling out?
Do you have an after market air intake?
Have you unplugged your battery recently?

Legot

iTrader: (1)

Is your ignition healthy?

Star09

Krod,
It will not stay running when I press the gas. Also, it used to sound like it was turning over, but now it just sounds like the starter is cranking, but it's not turning over.

I do not have an after market intake.
I have not unplugged my battery recently.

Legot,
I purchased the car about 3 months ago but have not replaced the ignition yet. I had plans on putting in a BHR ignition.

Thanks for your help.

Legot

iTrader: (1)

In that case there's a good chance that its an ignition failure and not firing on one or more coils. It's a little weird that there were no CELs showing, but it may be because the ECU has to see 3 instances of the missfire to store it and you didn't run it long enough for it to notice more.

Almost the exact same thing happened to me when a leading coil on my car decided it didn't want to exist anymore. One rotor refused to run and it was nearly impossible to start with a very lumpy sound.

bishop1950

I think it is time for plugs , wires and coils , I redid mine from Advance auto parts , made a big difference in power and how smooth it has run ?
Have you pulled a plug and looked at it ? What do they look like ? I had a trailing plug coil not fire as it should , Never got a misfire code , But it could be seen on the plug !
Good luck

Star09

Looks like that's my problem then. Thank you both very much!!!

Khurram

I think you'll still have to perform de-flooding procedure after you have replaced your coils, plugs and wires.

Al the best

Star09

* UPDATE *

Replaced: coils, plugs, and wires. OEM for now. I am going to save up for the BHR ignition upgrade.

I had to perform the de-flooding procedure and voila, it started up with a big cloud of white smoke just like everyone says. I took it out and drove it for about 25-30 miles round and round on a divided highway taking the turn around so I was able to accelerate nicely (once it was up to operating temperature. Runs like a champ!

Thank you to everyone who helped me and gave advice. I truly appreciate your assistance.

Also, I watched this video and it really helped with my de-flooding procedure:


I'm so excited to be able to drive my care again, I missed it! Though I did enjoy having my husband drive me to work and back for two weeks. I love spending time with him.