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Ok guys ... so this is my first post/thread here and I really hope that I could find some help here. Let me tell yah that I did use SEARCH feature here but couldnt find anything helpful for my problem.

I have a Honda Civic 2001 Sedan DX that I bought used few months ago with around 200K+ KMs on it. The only thing I did on it is the change of oil and oil filter. I dont know what other guy changed/seviced on it. I also dont belive that water pump and timing belt has been changed on it.

It starts up fine every morning even in normal winter days. However, it doesnt start when it's really cold... like below -15-20. It would just keep cranking and wouldnt fire up. Aftert SEVERALLLLLL attempts for like 30-40 mins, it would fire up . Here's what I have tried so far :

- Battery seems to be fine as it cranks the engine. But after a few attempts I can feel that the battery is running out of juice to crank it heavily. So, I got a boost from another car. I can feel then that it's cranking much better but the car wont fire up. I kept cranking for like good 30+ secs everytime. I got my battery and charging system checked at 360 Auto service in Markham and they told me that it's fine. I have that green Motomaster battery in.

- Normal cold days the car would fire up fine. Beginning of this week I knew it would be really cold later on this week so I bought Gas Line Anti Freeze and put it in. Then ran the car for awhile, came home at night and parked the car. Next morning, it wouldnt start because it was well below -20. Kept trying but wouldnt.

- Fuel system seems to be fine as after a few cranks I can smell gas. I dont get any CHECK ENGINE light so I dont believe there a leak in the fuel system.



Now ... what do you guys recommend ? I took it to 360 Auto and iGarage guys and they cant guess the problem.

- Could it be a problem from Battery or Fuel system ? If I were to change the battery then which one to get ? I also have a 1000rms audio system in.
- Could it be a problem in the Distributor or Relay ?
- Should I get a bsaic tune up ?
- If yes, then what should I change ? Spark plugs, any wires, Transmission oil, Air filter, Fuel Pump, PCV Valv etc. ???
- Just take it to the stealership and get them checked ?
- Any other recommendations ?

Any professional help or advice would be really apreciated guys !!!!

 
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Could try spark plugs, maybe try a fuel injector cleaner aswell. Check air filter althought i doubt its the problem. How does it start when you got a boost? Could possibly just need a battery with more power. Interstate makes good batterys they have one with 525 CCA as opposed to 410.

 
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If your motor is turning over properly, then I would eliminate batt. problems. If you can smell fuel after attempting to crank it several times, I would eliminate a fueling problem. This leaves 2 main culprits, my first guess would be spark. Second guess, although highly unlikely, would be air. If I had to take a shot in the dark at it, which I do, my best guess would be that your spark plugs maybe old and cannot provide the a spark strong enough needed to ignite the rich mixture present on a cold start. Or this could be coupled with an aging battery, since its so cold all the extra power is being used to turn the motor and there may not be enough batt. power left over to provide spark on already weakened spark plugs. When it is cold outside, your car automatically throws more fuel at the engine because fuel must be atomized before it can ignite and when it is cold, fuel has the tendency to fall out of suspension (turn back into liquid). So if the ECU throws more fuel at it, there is more fuel that stays atomized and does not fall back into its liquid form but at the same time this creates rich conditions within the cylinder. What viscosity oil are you running? There could be the possibility of the oil being way to thick in the cold weather causing extra strain on the battery.