Hard to start when cold.

Hi,
I'm stuck for answers....its now frustrating me.
In the cold..-11C.. my car..a '94 cavalier.. 2.2L Gives me troubles to start.
I turn the key and the sounds resemble a chug, it trys to turn over many many times. Sometimes while tryin and holding the key, it stops...just stops trying. This morning, it took me 8 tries to get it started. I dont hold the key longer than 10 seconds, i don't want to blow the starter.
I got my coolant tested before winter, and my mechanic told me its good to -30. My car ws synthetic for about 5 months or so....it ran amazing with it...now, my car looses oil..no drips, it just disappears. The end of my tailpipe is going black, it was changed 2 months ago.
Im not sure when the spark plugs were done, i would assume almost 2 years ago. This car was my moms. The fuel filter was done about...4 years ago.
A new head cylinder was put in over the summer. It's got 218,834 km....
runs beautifully when it finally gets started...but it hates the winter.
A new battery was also put in a month ago. I've just recently taken my car back to 10w30 regular oil right now its Castrol GTX High Mileage. My mechanic suggested 10w30....
Any solutions?? or suggestions????

please...all help is needed:banghead:

So it does not turn over very fast when attempting to start it ? Have your battery checked. and also serpintine belt for tightness. Putting Synthetic oil into a high mileage engine is not good ,it will just burn it up . black tail pipe could be a sign of this also running running rich on fuel. get the fuel filter changed ,4 years old ,it`s likely plugging up by now making it harder to start. Also check and change if necessary the air filter. New head this summer so it likely has new plugs in it. If you can get the fuel pressure checked after fuel filter replacement, that would be good.

I just had my battery changed a month ago...so i know its not that.
Thanks for the suggestions though

I just had my battery changed a month ago...so i know its not that.
Thanks for the suggestions thoughopps missed that ........Doh! . Definately do the filters to start with . Good Luck

In extreme cold the viscosity of the oil can matter. The resistance of the engine against the heavier oil can make the starter load too high and the battery will not have enough power to turn it over at times. Try using regular 5w-30 until it is warmer out.

Tis funny, cold for us Albertans is nowhere nere -11c. My cavalier has really proven reliable in the worst of weather. Its actually started in like -30* winters.. So something must be going on your cavalier because it should be starting at minus 11. Not sure man