My 2005 Durango 5.7 has difficulty starting when temp falls below about 20F. I have to turn the key longer than normal, beyond just the first cylinder firing in order to assure that it starts. If I let go too early, I usally hear a couple cylinders fire weakly and it fails to run. The chances of a successful second start attempt are usually less than the first, as it seems to be getting flooded. I am not touching the throttle during start attempts.
My vehicle has 69,690 miles on it, clean air filter, good fuel, new battery, and 10K on the plugs/wires.
I appreciate your advice.
-Matt
Cold weather makes the engine hard to start for two main reasons. First, oil thickens when it's cold, which increases friction and makes it harder for the starter motor to spin the engine. Cold also slows the chemical reaction in the car's battery, reducing its power output. Battery output is usually rated at 77°F, below which starting power drops drastically.
You can ensure that your car will start in the worst weather by keeping the engine or the battery, or both, warm.
You may want to consider a trickle charger for the battery to keep the chemical reaction working and an engine block heater to make it easier for the pistons to move freely.
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Let me clarify. The engine is turning over strong. It just doesn't want to fire up.
That was unintentional. I clicked on that by mistake, and I was not able to change it. With that said, any ideas to improve cold starting? Is this a common problem with the hemi?
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