the past few days i've noticed it takes a little more effort to start my car. usually its just turn the key, and it goes ch-ch-vroom and its running lately its like ch-ch-ch-ch-bvroom (sorry i dont have a sound clip lol) but it turns over more now. and IMO its probably plugs or injectors? its the only thing thats really very old on my car that i havn't replaced. i am 500miles overdue for an oil change... but could that really have an effect. sorry i'm not big on motors/tune-up etc.

thanks for the help in advance.

when did you last have your spark plugs replaced?
mine was doing that for a while and once i changed them no probs since

Is your battery getting low?

Or what kind of weather are you in, it takes a car a little longer to get started in cold weather, that's my experience.

being 500 miles overdue for an oil change isnt going to do that to your car -- but like you said, probably the things you mentioned. Before you go spend big bucks I would pickup a bottle of the super concentrated fuel injector cleaner and put that in with a full tank of premium octane -- some reason that seems to clean out more gunk then just the like 87 octact or whatever your lowest is.

imo the plugs.

i've owned the car for almost a year and havn't changed the plugs.

sparq... are those additives really good for your car though? putting shit in my fuel lines seems like a bad idea if it isn't fuel.

anyone know a really good brand of plugs. not a waste of money that claims performance either. brand name, proven performance, or just stock. but i'd rather go for real performance.

denso iridum ring any bells? i hear these are excellent.

found these, dont know if they are any good?????

http://www.proflowdesign.com/silver.html

http://www.proflowdesign.com/nology/silver.gif

I had that problem when i replaced the Fuel rail and it had a extreamly slow leak. it would leak out enough pressure that when you went to start the car the Fuel pump would have to restore pressure before it would start.

Just though I would let you know in case that could help.

Get some NGK plugs and have an autozone or something check your battery real quick. How about other basic tune up stuff? fuel filter, air filter? These are basics that you need anyway. Even if they don't "fix" the problem they won't hurt.

Is it just starting it that it runs bad? I noticed that when I'm low on gas it takes a couple cranks to start the car. But it wouldn't hurt to change the spark plugs first. Stock is best when it comes to spark plugs IMO.

it might be your starter becuase i just had to change mine yesturday,it started like that for me a little hard to start and then all togther one day yopu are going to not be able to staRT THE CAR IF I WERE YOU I WOULD LOOK INTO IT.

when i'm low on gas i have the problem also. but now its an all the time problem.

i hope its just the plugs. how much for a new starter? and how long will this one last if it is going bad? i know the plugs are old so i'm figuring and hoping it's just those.

i'll check my fuel pressure guage next time i turn off my car and see if the psi goes down fast enough to notice. bah i'm baffled

John when was the last time you had a tune up in general?

Originally posted by JayFidizzy
John when was the last time you had a tune up in general?

never... (last summer i bought it)

what exactly is in a tune up?

Actually John, fuel injector cleaner is good for your car, not bad, but only if you use it during the right time (usually every oil change). I use Chevron w/ Techron and I can definitely feel a difference after using it. Faster startup, quicker throttle response, less vibration during idle, etc. Try it out. :)

i think i will. oh and a side note i found today. i need antifreeze in the tank coming off the radiator... i need 2 qts of oil (i filled it) so i have to be burning it, i need another half tank of brake fluid, and i'm going to buy some fuel injector cleaner. ;)

new starter at discount auto parts is 56 dollars but if you give in your ol one they give you 25 back.it took me 20 mins to change out the starter,i changed the spark plus,wires and put in some injector cleaner and the car feels brand new,easy to start and idles alot better.: ) good luck

Originally posted by j.fuggi
i think i will. oh and a side note i found today. i need antifreeze in the tank coming off the radiator... i need 2 qts of oil (i filled it) so i have to be burning it, i need another half tank of brake fluid, and i'm going to buy some fuel injector cleaner. ;)

Nice. Go with Chevron w/ Techron. Only 7 or 8 bucks a bottle and it works great! :)

Tuneup includes...gas filter, plugs, wires, and if you put in the extra $$ new belts..

well i have fairly new magnecor's, just ordered plugs, and gas filter eh? guess i'll have to look into that

I'd change the fuel line to but thats me being anal

tune up should include the replacement all of these with an inspection of all old parts to see if anything may be malfunctioning.

plugs (check for fouling)
plug wires (check resistance, should be less then 12 ohms)
distributor cap (check for corrsion on contacts and if its dusty)
distributor rotor (check for arcing, burns, worn areas)
fuel filter (see if its hard to blow through)
air filter (inspect for debris, replace or clean as needed)
oil change (fairly obvious)
pcv valve (if over 70,000 miles but i change it all the time)
check belts for cracks and wearing, tighten as needed
check cooling system, flush as needed
check brake pads and/or shoes, replace as needed
check brake master cylinder (bleed and replace fluid if contaminated)
check clutch master cylinder
check transmission fluid for contamination change as needed or every 15,000 miles for and automatic or 25,000 for a manual (thats my recomendation honda's is a much greater interval)


as for good plugs, stock ngk's are about the best you'll find and if you wanna get down and dirty with your tune up get a coolent system test done, and electrical load test done, a compression test and a leakdown test.

Originally posted by CivicEx95
Is it just starting it that it runs bad? I noticed that when I'm low on gas it takes a couple cranks to start the car.
Originally posted by j.fuggi
when i'm low on gas i have the problem also. but now its an all the time problem.

Why is that? :confused: I've asked before but no one answered. I notice that it only happens in honda/acura's. My dads suzuki doesnt, my friends infiniti doesnt, my friends toyota doesnt....

I have that too...tap the gas pedal once before starting and it won't take as long....has to do with that you are almost on empty

Originally posted by JayFidizzy
I have that too...tap the gas pedal once before starting and it won't take as long....has to do with that you are almost on empty

I figured that but how come OTHER cars dont do that besides honda's/acura's ?? :confused: I've been in my dad's car when the needle was little before E and it started up just fine :confused:

because we're special and all the other brands are so generic.............in other words...i have no clue...lol

Originally posted by JayFidizzy
because we're special and all the other brands are so generic.............in other words...i have no clue...lol

LMFAO! haha :hehe: :( I still wanna know :o

Originally posted by j.fuggi

i'll check my fuel pressure guage next time i turn off my car and see if the psi goes down fast enough to notice. bah i'm baffled


Actualy the best way to tell if its your Fuel pressure is to..

When starting the car turn it to ACC for 3 seconds and then turn it off, back to ACC for 3 seconds and then start the engine, if its a fuel pressure problem it will start no problem after doing that.

Originally posted by -=BOOMER=-



Actualy the best way to tell if its your Fuel pressure is to..

When starting the car turn it to ACC for 3 seconds and then turn it off, back to ACC for 3 seconds and then start the engine, if its a fuel pressure problem it will start no problem after doing that.
He speaks the truth:D

I just wanted to throw out here that no magic "fuel injector cleaner" is any good for your car. Most of the companies that make products like that have pending lawsuits against them, and more are being added to that list all the time. Depending on the claims they make about the product, I know some companies have avoided litigation, but all of those additives are effectively the same.

Gasoline, by design, includes many additives with anti-corrosion and cleaning qualities. Now, technically, not all gas is exactly the same, as different refineries from different companies will create their own special "blend". However, any gas you buy at the local gas station is going to have a basic list of refinery additives included.

If fuel additives are so great, and if they get endorsements from NASCAR or Formula 1 or whatever, why is it that not a single auto manufacturer recommends using them? Don't you think the car companies would have struck up a deal with fuel refineries, so when Jerry, your yuppie neighbor who gets all of his work done at the dealership for $40/hr, he could be charged for a $20 bottle of fuel additive as well? I mean seriously, look at the lengths most owner manuals go to specify fluids and parts that need to be inspected and changed. A lot of them go so far as to specify a particular brand (usually the factory labelled version of a commercial product). That said, why don't you see bottles or even cases of these products on mechanics' work benches? Any serious mechanic I know has his garage heavily stocked with anything he might need, but I've never seen anyone have a fuel additive on their shelf.

I had a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme until last year. After 11 years, it had 230k miles on it. The day I sold it, it started up and ran like it always had. It never burnt any oil, and had no problem passing emissions. Most importantly, it never had an ounce of fuel additive in the tank. I know 230k miles is no longer that impressive of a figure, but it's still damn high, and I'm just using it to help illustrate my point.

IMO, the only thing in your gas tank should be gasoline.

C

Check your distributor rotor.
This is usually ignored and makes a hell of a difference ;)

I agree with CivicRacerX - All those fuel injectors are crap - lawsuits are being filed by the FTC against every company that makes them. In fact, Zmax has been proven by the FTC to be just Mineral Oils with Food Coloring! Hold on, let me find the link...
This is one specifically relating to Zmax, but they're suing every brand that makes it. Valvoline, STP, etc...
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2001/02/zmax1.htm