Some of the most random times when I got to start up my car, it starts up very slowly. Most of the time you turn the key, a second with the ignition clicking and the engine turns on. Well with this, you turn the key, it'll click for about 3 to 4 seconds like it doesn't want to start and then when it turns over, it slowly raise it's rpms to normal. When it slowly starts up, it scares the crap out of me cause it's like the car is waking up or something. Normally when the engine turns on, the needles raises to the normal rpms pretty quickly. When this happens, it take almost double the time to get there. But it happens only here and there, when the car is cold, when it is warm, before being run for the day, after being run for the day.

The only thing i can think of is fuel, but I've replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, pcv, wires, dist cap and rotor, added fuel injector cleaner and it still does it. Even with OEM items, it still seems to do it. A few miles back, I checked the spark plugs and they were a bit white for my taste even though they weren't that old.

I've also noticied that the car runs a little bit rougher and it's not getting as good of gas mileage as I'd like. It also seems to bog down randomly too but not for long most of the time.

 

First off, what year and model? '99 EX I assume? Is the check engine light coming on at all while driving?

It's difficult to determine what the car is actually doing based on what you've described. What is "clicking"?

When you turn the key to position III to engage the starter, does the starter engage right away, or is there a delay between turning the key and the starter engaging? If there is a delay or if you have to turn and jiggle the key several times to get it to send power to the starter, then your ignition switch contact assembly is bad.

When the starter engages, is it cranking very slowly, or does it crank at normal speed? If it cranks slowly, you should replace your battery as it is not holding a charge.

When the engine fires up and begins to run on its own, does it come up to idle speed smoothly and easily, or does it sputter and run rough before settling on idle speed? If the latter, it is likely an ignition or fuel problem.

It is good to hear that you used all OE parts for the tune up. All too often, I see people replace the plugs, wires, cap, & rotor with bad aftermarket items that cause problems (especially the wires). Do you have any electrical mods (remote starter, big stereo, aftermarket tach, etc.)? Are you getting any oil seeping through the spark plug tube seals into the spark plug wells?

 

It's a '99 ex coupe with a stock d16y8. The only mod is a SRI.

When i said clicking, i was only referring to the turning of the starter to start the engine. The starter engages everytime, it's just the car never seems to roar to life. The starter always seems to put out very good every time.

When the engine fires up, it just slowly increases it's rpms to optimal idle. Some times it's fast and smooth like it should be, other times it's just really weak and starts up slowly.

I always use OEM because of the stories i've heard about aftermarket parts. Right now I don't have stereo or tach hooked up, it's just as stock as they come. Forgot to say i replaced the seals too all around the valve cover. No oil seeping that i can see of.

I want to say it's a fuel problem but does this fit the bill?

 

Sounds fuel-related. Does this occur only when the fuel level in the tank is very low? If so, it's normal.

If it occurs frequently with a full or mostly full tank, then there may be some other issue. Does this seem to happen mostly when ambient temps are hot, or after the car sits out in the sun and heats up inside?

 

I always did wonder if it was the fuel level in my gas tank but the other night i had a full tank and it did it. Now i know this is out there but one thing i just remembered that's always been odd is the fact when i pull the gas cap off, there's no hissing sound or anything like any other vehicle i've owned. What does this mean

Temps really don't matter. It did it over the summer and now during the winter. I actually had to buy a new battery not long ago and it didn't change a thing either.

 

Bump