cold start problems

Hello all

I am having problems with the starting. When the outside tempreture is like below 70F the car cold starts fine (like after sitting there all night) it started fine. But, after driving around and then parking it and re-start it seemed to be fine (lately but wasn't like that early on). Now it's more presistent when the engine cooled under the hot sun (like over 75F out) the car sometimes wouldn't start and sometimes it does without problems. When there is a problem the engine will start up and die quickly or not at all. Try to re-start and you hear the starter crank but no engine. Just today it's like over 84F out and have to have the hood up to get some cool air to flow through just to be able to crank my engine (so retarded). Early on when I stopped for gas (or whatever that requires you to shut off the engine) it may or may not restart right away and after waiting for a few minutes it DOES starts up (less persistent now). But, now it's more like it wont start after sitting (and cooling) under the hot sun for quite sometimes. What can be the cause of this bizzare and inconsistent problem. I am thinking that it may be an electronic problem like a cold start relay but someone on here (and elsewhere) mentioned it maybe in the air/fuel intake system. Have you experience similar problem? I want to know what the possibilities are. Who knows maybe if it gets worse the next thing may that happens may mean the engine cuts off while moving 55mph(88km/h).

Oh by the way the vehicle I am describling is in a 1992 Acura Integra LS (2dr hatchback) w/ an automatic transmission.

I've been having the same problems.
My started about 4 years ago. I had some work done on my 1990 Integra RS (Manual). Tune-up, exhaust and clutch and ever since than just like you, on hot days, if I just took a short (5 minutes) drive and stop the car, it would have a hard time starting, start up and dies, start up and dies. But it needs to be hot out like 80+.

I don't know what it is either. My mechanic tells me the oxygen sensor is fine. I'm thinking about changing the ignition wires. I believe he changes those during the work.

Did you find a solution to your problem?

check your battery. also your fuel relay could be going bad. its under the dash by the hood release. when they are malfunctioning they usually need to be cool to work.

Not only do I also have a 92 LS Hatchback, I have the same exact problem.
I've had the car for a year, and it's done it the whole
year. Now that it's hot out, though, it does it so much more. Ok, so
there's more (not a lot) information on this topic....which is good, but
also confusing. Since you probably feel the same way I do, I'll try to
list most of what I've found.

1. I found an article at About.com's auto section, about Honda Main
Relays. It seems this is a common problem (although not always the
cause). It sounds like if they're old (like ours are) the soldering can
crack or be faulty....or....the relay can stick in hot weather. All of this
will cause the relay to be faulty and not work. So, when it doesn't work,
if you turn the key to the ON position and the Check Engine light comes
on, when it shuts off you won't hear the "click". Normally, you should
hear the fuel pump "whirring" and the relay click.

About.com's Honda Relay Article (3 pages I think) (http://autorepair.about.com/library/weekly/aa010301a.htm)

2. It could also be a ton of other things, but this is the way I'm leaning.
It sucks because the relay is ~$45 (from what I've found), otherwise
I'd just replace it. So far I've changed: spark plugs, air filter, sub-air
filter, ignition rotor, fuel filter. I've now bought spark plug wires and
a distributor cap but haven't put them in. None of these have made a
difference (although I am getting better gas mileage. I've also had
the battery and alternator checked, but they're fine.

3. Other suggestions I've been presented with are the actual fuel pump.
I haven't had it checked yet cause I've been trying this other stuff.
Who knows, I might just break down and replace the relay. I'll be
pretty pissed if it doesn't solve the problem...can't really return the
relay.

Oh well, hope this helped a little. Get back to me so we can solve this!

later.

sounds to me like the main relay or vapor lock. when the accord i used to have started doing this, a lot of other things also started going wrong, so i couldnt tell what parts were fixing what problems. when i did replace the main relay, though, it did seem to cut down the number of times my car wouldnt start to about half. my car would also not start due to other problems such as my coil failing, and once that was replaced it started almost every time. and so you guys know, 85 is not hot, 105 is hot. good luck.

borrow a friends relay to see if thats what it is. get one from a junkyard. civics have the same relay as integras.