It's terribly cold here in chicago right now... and when i tried to start the car it seems as if it's choking and has hard time starting... anyone has similar problem in cold?... the car has about 17000miles... perhaps a bad spark plug?

 

Mine's not used to cold weather and rarely gets started when it's below 35 degrees. I've had my starter hesitate and stall a couple of times but nothing major. I don't it's a spark plug; maybe just give it a bit of gas when you start it up.

 

No, its the stock battery. It cannot take the cold. I got an Optima yellow top now with 600CCA and it starts on one engine turnover everytime.

 

Yes, I got the same problem, not the spark plugs ... normal I guess.

 

Be nice to your car. Plug it in when it's cold.

 

We dont get that in the US bro.

 

plug it?... u guys get an adapter over there?... lol

 

It's happening to a lot of people. My MY04 is doing it also. I thought it was just me until I saw all these threads about cold starts popping up over the last few weeks.

 

An engine block heater is a dealer installed option - costs maybe $100.00 for the part and to install it. It is not exclusive to Canada. You can have a block heater installed in Hawaii if you so choose. It fits into the coolant flush access port just below the exhaust manifold. NY is not so different from many Canadian cities insofar as winter climate. Just because you are south of the 49th doesn't make you immune to winter motor vehicle operations.

How cold are you guys talking about anyway? This car should be able to start with relative ease and "normality" down to as cold as -10*C (that's +14*F for you guys). Below that, you should expect some more difficulties in starting. This would be normal and would not be like any other car since the S2000 has quite high compression, very small engine tolerances, small battery and widespread use of 10W30 oil. Plugging in a block heater for about 3 hours prior to starting the car will make it start just like it does in the summer. It is only partially due to reduced battery efficiency at those temps as a block heater does nothing for the battery. It only makes it easier to crank and some of the heat goes up into the intake manifold and throttle body due to the coolant lines there. This helps to fuel to stay vapourized better and will also have some affect in lending warmth to the manifold - all making starting easier. Routine use of a block heater whenever the temps dip below 14 degrees will be much easier on your engine and help to prolong its lifespan.

As many of you have probably never seen a block heater on an S2000, this will give you some idea:

 

it went as low as 0*F here in chicago... it's just painful to stand outside...