Cold Start -> Stall -> No start!
 

I put my GT 6sp in the garage at the start of Dec. Had been busy messing about with the problematic Volks. Thus, she sat there for about two weeks.

The other day I went out to start the 8 up. It started on the first crank, seemed a little rougher which I attributed to the cold (it was a little below freezing outside). It idled for about 3 secs until I released the clutch, then she stalled. Cranked again, then it would not turn over - just the starter motor turning (sounded like). Tried the flooded start procedure from the manual - nada!

Now, I have always followed the manual's instructions on driving/maintaining this car. The dealer's more cautious instructions were to always let it idle 30 secs before driving and 30 secs before shutting off. Also, never let it run for less than 5 mins.

When I moved it into the garage I followed these directions, although moving it from the driveway to the garage hardly gets the RPMs up.

Any ideas anyone? :confused: It has never given me any trouble starting before...

(I'm starting to think my cars are seriously jealous of one another - when one works, the other won't!) :rolleyes:

I'm not sure what version of the owner's manual you have, but there is an updated procedure for starting a flooded engine (which is sounds like you have) from the original pulication of the manual--since the beginning of the M flash recall. I do not know the exact procedure, as I have misplaced the updated page my dealer gave me, but, unfortunately I have read other people's stories here about having to get their 8 towed to resolve such an issue. Let me know what happens, as I've had rougher starts in this colder weather.

EDIT: I'm sure you know to do this, but if you know you're going to start your 8 but not going to drive it far enough to warm up the engine, gun the engine to 4,000 RPMs for a few seconds before cutting it off. Either the manual or the dealer said that helps clear any excess oil in the combustion chamber.

There was a sticker with the updated start procedure in my manual (overtop of the old one I guess), which I assume is the new(est?) procedure.

That is probably the newest procedure you have then--I am not sure, as I have the old manual and they just gave me a printout of the new procedure on regular paper. I think it tells you to crank the engine and depress the gas pedal for 8 seconds?

One suggestion that I just saw on another thread: check your battery. It might be dead. This thread isn't the one I originally read, but it provides a good technical explanation for what happened if, in fact, your battery is the culprit.

A few things:

1) Keep the tank full if you aren't driving it. That sounds like gasline freeze up actually.

2) Dump a bottle of Heet into the tank also for that reason. Use IsoHeat.

3) You should start and drive the car at least every other day, weather permitting.

Good luck.

Thanks Stew!

Fuel is actually very low.... but why would it freeze up?

IsoHeet is safe?

Starting/Driving every other day is not an option due to Canadian weather conditions. The 8 is my 3 season car (I'm not exposing her to salt and winter road debris)- and this brings up another issue of Winter Storage.

This is obviously my 1st winter with the 8. What needs to be done to ensure she has an easy winter in the garage? I have axel stands (not currently in use), have heard I should bring the batt inside, vaseline the chrome bits (exhaust) and stuff any potential "mouse refuges" with rags. Any tips would be most appreciated!

DOH! My advice has been trumped by Stew's. Good job, stew :p

As for revving to 4K before shut off, I couldn't find a ref to this in the manual and got conflicting advice from two dealers - one said to do it, the other said not to.

Star, when you got your 8, there should have been a mini-booklet called "Quick Tips", and there is a section there for a "Short trip driving procedure". It reads as follows:

1. Start engine
2. Move vehicle
3. Warm engine for 5 minutes at idle
4. Raise engine speed to 3000 RPMs for 10 seconds
5. Return to idle
6. Turn off engine

I rev my engine on all trips, however, short or long. If you are registered at MyMazda.com, you can also download this documentation from there.