Hey guys, just trying to find out why my car may be hard starting ONLY after the engine is HOT.

The car starts up just fine after sitting and runs smoothly all the time, even after a hard start.

What I mean by hard starting is it takes a little longer to crank (maybe two turns), but also seems to crank "harder" like I can literally hear the engine shake. This is my best description but please focus on hard starting only after engine is hot.

This has only started recently, no recent changes other than it being hotter outside.

Vehicle: 2008 S2000, mileage ~60,000km
related mods: K&N ram intake, test pipe with flashpro for second O2 delete, cat-back exhaust
oil changed ~1 month ago.

Thanks for your help

-Brad

 

What is the status of the spark plugs?


Thanks!

 

Original Spark Plugs, have not examined them. Wouldnt that effect cold starting as well, perhaps even moreso?

 

this i think is a hot idle issue. dont quote me on this, but i had the same issue on my old prelude and now my accord with a bazillion miles on it. it turned out to be one of the idle control valves has a giant slotted bolt in it and it came loose. it caused somewhat of an erratic idle and hard start cause it was not letting air bypass properly.

 

The idle is fine when cold and hot. Would that eliminate that possibility?

 

beats me frankly but it was 5 min adjustment to make and solved my problem.

 

It would be nice if it was that easy of a fix for me, but I think it may be something different. Appreciate the suggestion though.

 

The '08 does not have an idle control valve (eliminated on the dbw models).

Maybe a fuel pump main relay problem?

 

Is it even more difficult when it is real humus and/or raining? If so, do a compression test. I had a car years ago that had a difficult time starting when hot and it was worse in humid weather. I found out the valves were leaking pretty bad.

 

If the gaps are too wide, may make starting an issue. Wouldn't hurt to replace them. Esp since they are the original set that came with car. At least, inspect them.


Good luck!