Anyone else's car sometimes impossible to restart after a cold FAS?

[FXSTi]

I'm glad this came back up. I just had my Fiesta do it to me, only the car had sat overnight. The temp was around 38F. I have the push button start and I went to start it and it just cranked for what seemed like forever (5 sec?). It fired when I tapped the gas pedal, but stumbled for a few seconds before idling normally. If it happens again I'm headed to the dealer.

Kirk

[WriConsult]

Took the car in to the dealer for its 15k service last week. I mentioned this problem, but they were unable to duplicate it (of course the car was warm) and it didn't throw any codes so they said there was nothing they could do.

Yet I think it has gone away. I've tried FASing and restarting every time I've driven it cold in the past week, and has started right back up every time. So maybe it was just the 15k tuneup, but something they did seemed to fix it.

[claytori]

While I occasionally encounter a difficult restart after an FAS, it would be with the engine at operating temperature. I chalk up the start failure to the engine computer deciding that something must be amiss. The engine always starts by cranking, just not always by bump.

I question the logic of FAS with a cold engine. While this is a high fuel consumption period, much of that fuel is being burned to heat up the engine to operating temperature. Your object should be to encourage the fastest rise to operating temperature, not slowing it down. Try using a grill blocker or other means for rapid warm-up. Once at operating temperature, you can FAS as much as you like.

[WriConsult]

Fortunately the problem really does seem to have gone away.

I question the logic of Fas with a cold engine. While this is a high fuel consumption period, much of that fuel is being burned to heat up the engine to operating temperature. Your object should be to encourage the fastest rise to operating temperature, not slowing it down.

The logic is that idling is an incredibly inefficient way to warm up a car. After leaving my house I almost immediately find myself in stop-and-go and stoplight-to-stoplight traffic for the first few minutes. I spend at least 75% of my first few minutes idling, which wastes a ton of fuel while still not warming the engine up very fast, clobbering my overall mpg.

I agree, if you can jump right into a cruising situation where you're actually using your engine right away, then you're absolutely better off warming up the engine as fast as possible, and if there's a brief FAS opportunity in the middle of that you might be better off skipping it.

As always, the best approach depends on the situation.

[Harold]

It will happen again! Any bets. H

[Die2self]

any chance on getting an Engine block heater, This will help get your engine closer to operating temps when you first get in. I use mine (up to last week) and have the Water temp seating at about 100F when I get in and I roll out of my drive way backwards, fire up the ICE and drive about 3 blocks and FAS down a hill to a Stop sign. It is up to about 125F by then whe is about when the cold WT light goes out on my FIT. It does help and I use mine up to about 55-60 F morning temps. (it is only on for about 1- 1.5 hours to get it up to 100F). During the winter (15-30F mornings) I have it run for about 2-2.5 hours outside to get it up close to 100F. otherwise 1-1.5 hour in the garage.

[WriConsult]

I'd never get the payback from a block heater, financially or in terms of hassle. It just doesn't get that cold here, with typical mid winter lows in the 30s. I don't have a garage, so it would mean running a cord out across the sidewalk. If I were to bother, I'd plug in my wife's car -- a TDI that already has a coolant heater and would get more benefit from plugging in.

But basically I've mostly figured out how to adjust my driving to avoid the problem, if it even still exists. I don't FAS at a light when cold if I have a lot of traffic behind me, and I don't FAS in motion when cold unless I'll be able to bump start again (which, fortunately, DOES always work). I don't FAS as much when cold as when warm, which is costing me a bit, but I am able to do it some of the time and I think I've managed to find a reasonable balance. I'm really not too concerned about it anymore. Just one of those little quirks I may or may not have to live with.

[Harold]

Letting the car warm up will solve that problem for sure. Just a matter of training yourself to hold off until its warm. H