Hello,

Purchased an 02 Accord with the 3.0L V6 a few months ago. Never had any issues with it till recently. The past few days when my fiance tries to start the car she has to crank it over for a bit longer than normal to get it to start. It did it once after the car had been driven for a little while and today it did it when it was cold. This all started after the gas tank was run low and then refilled with Sunoco 87. We added a fuel system cleaner after it did it on Friday and the car wasn't drive all this weekend.

Could this be bad gas? Dirt from running the tank too low? Normal for letting the car sit for a few days?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brad

 

if the car was sitting for a few days, it probably took longer to start since the pressure in the fuel system decreased.

We're only talking an extra second or two to start, right?

 

Well she said she had to hit the key once for a few cranks and then hit the key again and it started. Same result on Friday.

We just added the fuel system cleaner on Friday and then didn't drive the car all weekend, I'm wondering it that stuff might need a chance to start working???

 

where do you live? out east? i have heard of some bad gas stories out there. you might want to replace the fuel filter, but i bet everything is just fine. i try to start my car every day, but if i go out of town for a few days, my car takes a few extra turns before it fires

 

If you added the fuel system cleaner and did'nt get to drive your ride , then it hasn't mixed very well in the gas tank...so give it a chance to work...

WheelBrokerAng [sm=americanasmiley.gif]

 

Well I guess I'll give the cleaner a chance to work it's way through before I get all worked up.

Thanks for all the help.

 

Also, a lot of Hondas (at least all the ones I've encountered) when run low on gas, take some cranking to start, especially if you park on an incline or decline. If you think you have had bad gas, use Iso-Heet. It is a very good additive that will help clear up any issues you have with bad gas (and of course letting the bad gas empty out of your tank). Good Luck!

 

I have had this issue with both of my Honda cars, a '99 Civic & a '98 Accord. If I turn my key to on the on position, where the fan turns on, not to the start position where the engine cranks.. I let it sit there for about 3-5 seconds before turning to the starting position & they both start fine without the extra cranks.

~tylito

 

when you turn the key just one click before starting it, that activated the pump, which will make sure there is fuel to the injectors right away