Cold weather start

[drewbot]

In cold weather like this I naturally let it prime twice. One of the things from my old Civic was that you had to prime it twice or else it wouldn't start below freezing (stupid, I know)

[drewbot]

Also, I'm assuming this is the OP's first winter - yes, the fluttering is normal when idling after cold start

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

Don't boxer engines get piston slap when really cold?

Why would it being a boxer immediately mean piston slap?

Piston slap is from the piston/cylinder gap, and also related to R/S ratio, etc. The pistons don't care which way they're oriented compared to the car.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Forget about cold starts, you *should* always let the pump fully prime before cranking the engine over. You can hear it if you listen, but if you wait for the fuel gauge to move to however much gas you have left that's typically long enough.

Holy crap I learned something on here!!!!!!
In all the years I have had "modern" tech cars I never once heard or thought of doing this and it makes so much sense!

Now of course if Ubersuber was still around then there would be a 1500 word essay disputing this but research usually showed Mr. Parsons was right anyway so I am going for it.

[Thorpedo]

I can hear light piston slap in mine when started in cold conditions. It's nothing to worry about. Just let it warm up before experiencing any sort of high load situation or high RPM.

[adamg]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Holy crap I learned something on here!!!!!!

^

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by adamg

^

[SLVRSRFR]

I got some nice poppy back-fires and an uneven idle for a bit after starting this morning, and despite priming the pump, it was a longer crank than usual. but she fired up!

Does anyone else have the same issue of an annoyingly uneven idle when your defrost/AC compressor is on? I'll be sitting at a light with the defrost on, and the car will be idling nice and even, i hear the compressor kick on and the revs drop almost to the point of the car stalling (it actually shudders mildly), and then back to normal.

Doesn't really bother me while driving but when stopped, it's annoying and sounds like shit.

Also my A/C compressor noticeably and audibly "chirps" when it kicks on. Not quite "crickets" but similar, and loud enough that you can hear it in the car sometimes.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

My car used to missfire when started from cold in anything under 5 degrees Celsius, when it was stock.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Why would it being a boxer immediately mean piston slap?

Piston slap is from the piston/cylinder gap, and also related to R/S ratio, etc. The pistons don't care which way they're oriented compared to the car.

I only say this because this occurred on older wrxs

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by SLVRSRFR

I got some nice poppy back-fires and an uneven idle for a bit after starting this morning, and despite priming the pump, it was a longer crank than usual. but she fired up!

Does anyone else have the same issue of an annoyingly uneven idle when your defrost/AC compressor is on? I'll be sitting at a light with the defrost on, and the car will be idling nice and even, i hear the compressor kick on and the revs drop almost to the point of the car stalling (it actually shudders mildly), and then back to normal.

Doesn't really bother me while driving but when stopped, it's annoying and sounds like shit.

Also my A/C compressor noticeably and audibly "chirps" when it kicks on. Not quite "crickets" but similar, and loud enough that you can hear it in the car sometimes.

I think we all have that.
In fact it seems so common I would be more concerned if mine didn't do it!
It is the subject of many threads and some people just can not face the fact it is just part of how these cars work.

[pushrod]

Originally Posted by SLVRSRFR

Does anyone else have the same issue of an annoyingly uneven idle when your defrost/AC compressor is on? I'll be sitting at a light with the defrost on, and the car will be idling nice and even, i hear the compressor kick on and the revs drop almost to the point of the car stalling (it actually shudders mildly), and then back to normal.

No, because I disconnected the power to the AC compressor so it never kicks on. I suggest you do the same. Takes 5 seconds; it's right on top of the compressor in plain sight. Just move the loose wire out of the way of the serp belt.

[Pkush]

So how do you "prime the fuel pump"
Teach me. I got push to start, simply push the button without having clutch pressed so everything lights up and give it some time before starting the engine? how long?
The last few nights we were at 0F so in the morning when I start the car and release teh clutch in neutral it did jump forward a bit and rpm fell from 2000 to 1500. and I do get the knock too. First 20 seconds after a cold startup. I'd say anything colder than 20F

[SLVRSRFR]

Originally Posted by pushrod

No, because I disconnected the power to the AC compressor so it never kicks on. I suggest you do the same. Takes 5 seconds; it's right on top of the compressor in plain sight. Just move the loose wire out of the way of the serp belt.

Any issues with doing this? Just eliminates the A/C? Does the defrost still work as adequately without it?