Stupid question: fuel injection, the accelerator, and starting. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bossnass · 02-02-2008, 08:59 AM

It has recently been cold here in Edmonton, Alberta. Many cars throughout the city did not start, including a friend of mine who had me give him a boost.

I noticed that he was pumping the fuel pedal trying to get the car to fire. We then had a discussion on if or if not you 'give it gas' when it is cold and won't start. We both learned to drive on old carburettor vehicles. All modern cars have fuel injection.

I'm of the opinion that you don't give a fuel injected engine gas when you're trying to start it on a very cold (or very hot) day. He disagrees. The tow truck driver that eventually showed up said that he had been told both, but usually tries it anyway.

Whats the verdict, mechanical tfpers?

Ilow · 02-02-2008, 09:21 AM

I always heard that it was one of those doesn't help but can't hurt things, because you can't flood it.

shakran · 02-02-2008, 10:14 AM

it is usually unnecessary, but if the car is having trouble getting started on a REALLY cold morning, it may require more fuel than the ECU's fuel map is set up to give at idle throttle. Very lightly pressing on the throttle while cranking can help get you started on days like that.

BadNick · 02-02-2008, 10:40 PM

I think the posts above just about say it all quite well. You'd think we were keeping post counts here since I'm adding this useless comment anyway. But it's quite late here, I'm getting sleepy, and I have even less self-control than usual. I'm glad it's not as cold here as in Edmonton. Tomorrow will be mid 50F's ...12 or 13C'ish.

Fotzlid · 02-02-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

it is usually unnecessary, but if the car is having trouble getting started on a REALLY cold morning, it may require more fuel than the ECU's fuel map is set up to give at idle throttle. Very lightly pressing on the throttle while cranking can help get you started on days like that.

good to know..
thanks

bobby · 02-03-2008, 12:58 PM

damn computers....can't even work on my own car any more...just a puddle of electrons on the floor..........xoxoxoo

DEI37 · 02-03-2008, 08:21 PM

Yeah, pretty much.

Agreed with the above posts. And, just for the record, you CAN flood a fuel injected car. Just not as easily.

02-02-2008, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bossnass Détente Location: AWOL in Edmonton	Stupid question: fuel injection, the accelerator, and starting. It has recently been cold here in Edmonton, Alberta. Many cars throughout the city did not start, including a friend of mine who had me give him a boost. I noticed that he was pumping the fuel pedal trying to get the car to fire. We then had a discussion on if or if not you 'give it gas' when it is cold and won't start. We both learned to drive on old carburettor vehicles. All modern cars have fuel injection. I'm of the opinion that you don't give a fuel injected engine gas when you're trying to start it on a very cold (or very hot) day. He disagrees. The tow truck driver that eventually showed up said that he had been told both, but usually tries it anyway. Whats the verdict, mechanical tfpers?

02-02-2008, 09:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ilow Junkie Location: Pats country	I always heard that it was one of those doesn't help but can't hurt things, because you can't flood it. __________________ "Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about" --Sam Harris

02-03-2008, 12:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
bobby Super Moderator Location: 18,000+ posts on TFP #1,2,3,4 and 5,but I'm not counting!	damn computers....can't even work on my own car any more...just a puddle of electrons on the floor..........xoxoxoo __________________ "Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo

02-03-2008, 08:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	Yeah, pretty much. Agreed with the above posts. And, just for the record, you CAN flood a fuel injected car. Just not as easily. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

02-02-2008, 10:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	it is usually unnecessary, but if the car is having trouble getting started on a REALLY cold morning, it may require more fuel than the ECU's fuel map is set up to give at idle throttle. Very lightly pressing on the throttle while cranking can help get you started on days like that.

02-02-2008, 10:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	I think the posts above just about say it all quite well. You'd think we were keeping post counts here since I'm adding this useless comment anyway. But it's quite late here, I'm getting sleepy, and I have even less self-control than usual. I'm glad it's not as cold here as in Edmonton. Tomorrow will be mid 50F's ...12 or 13C'ish.