I have an 05' S2000 with just over 5k on the clock. I use it as a daily driver but have a real daily driver that needs to be run occasionally. Anyway I swapped cars and the s2k was only parked for four days.

When I started the car this evening, it sounded like it was only running on two cylinders? It blubbered for about 2 or 3 seconds and then finally smoothed out and went up to it's normal startup RPM (2k or so).

I have an Amuse R1 exhaust so it is very easy to hear stuff like this, especially when it's parked in an inside storage facility.

I did a search and found a few cases of this same situation.

I know that the last time it sat for a few days like this it still had the stock exhaust but I rememeber that it also blubbered a little when I started the car? This was the first time it ever happened.

Just wondering if anybody had had the same thing happen and whether there is a solution for this,

Thanks,
Bob

 

You should go back to your other thread in "Tell Honda" and close it or ask the site admin to delete it.

In response to your question, after you store the car for 4 days, the fuel system has most likely depressurized. When you start it, cycle the key to ON twice. IE, turn it to ON, wait for the fuel pump to finish its initial cycle (a couple of seconds). Turn key to OFF, then back to ON again, wait a couple of seconds, THEN hit the start button. If the car stills does the same thing, have the plugs checked for condition and gap.

 

it happens to me all the time. i have no idea why or how to fix it. i have a new battery, and new plugs from honda, ill try they key techinique

 

I'd like to add:

One key cycle is usually enough. I say two just to make sure that it isn't due to lack of fuel pressure. Also, make sure you DO NOT touch the gas pedal when you start any fuel injected car. Doing so will make for a BAD start. Besides, after the car sits for 4 days, it's best to not rev the engine any higher than what it goes to on its own. It takes a few more seconds for the oil to get pumped back to all the critical parts.

 

bad injectors? mine does the same thing.

 

Bad injectors would show themselves in other driving parameters, not just on a cold start after sitting for a few days.

 

Thanks for the info xviper,

I always wait for the fuel pump to stop after turning the key on and never touch the throttle when starting the car.

The car has always started good when driven daily but this has only happened twice and it was after it had sit for between four days and a week at most?

Also I am not sure how to go about deleting the other post in "Tell Honda" but I will give it a try.

Thanks again for the tips,

Bob

 

OK, try the key ON cycle TWICE and see what happens. Sitting for even up to a month, my car has never shown signs of hard starting (after waiting for the fuel pump to pressurize up). If yours is acting strangely after only a few days, then something needs to be looked at. Perhaps your fuel rail is not holding pressure well (leak or seapage past the FPR?). Maybe it's time to check your plug gaps.
Is there a chance you've been using crappy fuel? Right grade of fuel? Have you done any alterations to the engine? And of course, you don't try to "help" (by giving it throttle) the engine through this starting phase, do you?

 

I'll try the key ON cycle twice to see if that helps. I did exactly that this morning (this would be the second cold start after the car was parked), turned the key ON, waited for the fuel pump to stop, and the gauges are zero, turned the key off and did the same thing again.

The car fired up clean but just after starting, it started to blubber for just a second, then went up to it's usual RPM and ran fine.

It actually missed a little bit when it blubbered but it only lasted maybe a second at most.

I run only Chevron super in the car and always (well almost always) fuel at the same station. I had an Evo VIII before the s2k and have been filling up at this station for years so I wouldn't assume that I got a load of crap gas but you never know huh

The car has just over 5k on it and I have not used any fuel conditioner or injector cleaner. On my other cars I usually run a bottle of Chevron Techron on every third oil change.

After the first occurrence of this situation (last night), I filled the car with gas so I'll just see how it goes.

I wonder if maybe the injectors are seeping a little and maybe wetting the spark plugs? I don't have a fuel pressure gauge in the car so I'm not sure how long it is holding fuel pressure.

Anyway thanks for the tips and I will try the two cycle start and see how it goes.
Bob

Oh yeah, I NEVER give it throttle when starting and the only mod to the car besides wheels and tires is an Amuse R1 catback.

 

This is not an uncommon occurance. The time frame you stated is nothing to be concerned about. I think that in time, your ECU will "learn" to deal with this even if you do nothing about it. Many cars display this peculiarity from time to time. Mine did this every year for about 4 to 5 days when fall transitioned into winter. Then, for no reason, after the 3rd year, it never did it again.
Unless you have actually starting problems like it just doesn't start or you have driving issues, there's no point in persuing this any further. It will only drive you nuts. I do not believe this is a "problem".