My Accord has developed a hard start symptoms whenever it is parked for more than a week. The longer it sits, the harder it is to start.

When it sits for a week, it will start on the second engine turn over instead of the first. The other day, someone hit the car, and it sat for about 3 weeks without starting. When I tried starting it, it took about 40 seconds to start. The engine turns over, but it doesn't 'catch'.

Here is the summary of starting:

• < 4 days, starts instantly, no hesitation
• ~ 1 week, split second delay before starting
• 1 - 2 weeks - 1 second delay in starting, starts on second engine turn over
• 3 - 4 weeks - takes a while before it 'catches' and starts.

My mechanic suggest that it could be a injector seal that is loosing pressure over time the longer it sits. He thinks that it is loosing fuel pressure in the fuel lines when it sits for a long time.

What do you guys think?

I have a 94 Accord 5spd LX 4door with 280k miles. Runs perfectly, other than the slowish start after sitting for long periods of time. I have no power losses, no loss in fuel economy, I still get 29-31 MPG highway driving, which is what I always get.

I am due for my 3rd full tuneup now, since it has been 90k miles since my last full tuneup (timing belt change, and my long list of all required tuneup parts).

 

injectors dont lose pressure ... it could be a leaking head gasket .. has the car ever overheated ? compression test it

 

It is not compression that cause the hard start its lack of fuel.

 

lol ok thanks for the info

 

I think you should do some basic diagnostics and report your findings.

Spark check, what color?
Fuel check, how much pressure?
Air check, any air leaks/blockage?
Voltage check, what voltage?
Compression check, what pressure?

It would also be useful to post what year, sub model, drivetrain your car has.

 

Thanks. I will check on these. I am due for my major tuneup now, so I guess I can check on these as I tackle the tune-up.