cool mornings, or after a long period sitting (unless hot outside, then no problem) the car takes many many cranks or turnovers to start.

I do not run ethanol gasoline, spark plugs changed less than 30K miles ago, plug wires distributer, and rotor have been replaced about 2-4,000 miles ago

when the car starts, it is idling too low and I have to feather the throttle (gas pedal) for at least 30 seconds to get the car to idle. I live a minute north of florida so cold for this car is not really cold like up north at all

is the throttle cable out of place? electric choke bad? coil? fuel pump?

thank you so much for your consideration!
Very respectfully, MT1 Anderson

 

What engine is it?

 

sounds like its a tired one

 

D15 stock, second engine for the vehicle.

Although the vehicle has many miles on it, the maintenance is kept up.

all filters, ignition tune-up components, changed regularly, & then new battery, CV joints, radiator, timing belt, alternator -the car runs perfectly, usually starts in less than 3 turns.

Despite 3 months dormancy every deployment, the car operates perfect when running, and usually starting (up until a few weeks ago, a couple of months after return from sea)

I drove it round trip 800 miles at 80mph (four speed standard) a few weeks ago to pic up some car parts, so I do not believe that the fuel pump is bad. I have replaced the in tank filter about a year ago.

It is a Daily driver when not deployed (usually 3 month excursions) Stabil, seafoam, marine gas (91 octane, Non ethanol gasoline) and the car has always started RIGHT UP after sitting while I deploy. I think the wife might have made some adjustments (within the engine bay) while I was deployed because the temp gauge is now kaput, and I had throttle surges for awhile (she changed the dash lights). She's usually very handy (does the oil changes when the schedule is so busy I work/sleep/work), and assisted me taking apart/reassembling the top half of the engine after the brother in law drove the vehicle with a blown head gasket 2 years ago.

 

So I'll assume you have the D15B2 and all it's tragic dual-point glory. My condolences.

The temp gauge is kaput? Wiring. The heat factor makes no sense but could be coincidental, so I'd suspect wiring first and foremost. You should have 3 engine bay grounds; valve cover, battery, and a bundle from the engine harness near the thermostat housing. Make sure those are cleaned up and tight. Any change in behavior?

 

I've had the throttle cable go bad in mine, they're not that expensive. How old is the battery? Not that it relates to the idle issue, but has the main relay ever been replaced?

 

The week after the last post I did this work:
The wife had previously swapped the throttle body from my other 91' civic (while deployed) because the 'idle air control sensor?' on the driver's side of the throttle body, would not line up to the wiring.

When she did, she pinched the throttle cable over the clutch cable. I removed, re-routed, and re-installed the throttle cable.

I added two ground wires, and replaced the battery's negative terminal, I checked the distributer cap and rotor -(at only less than 10,000 miles were heavily oxided/corroded) and wire brushed them, and finally replaced the coil inside the distributer cap. Again the spark plug wires are new. I ordered another distributer cap and rotor. The wife changed the fuel filter.

The two plugs were platinum, barely white, and looked fine.

After this much work, the car turns over in about 2-3 turns so this is a tremendous improvement. Rain everyday after work.

a few weeks later the fuel pump died (yesterday)

I bought a Walbro fuel pump and replaced the old fuel pump. I believe that the fuel pressurized in the fuel line from the pump to the throttle body injector is losing pressure after sitting for a long while

the car starts right up and runs great, and dumps fuel out of the driver's side (vice front of the tank) fuel hose that has metal, flared ends (and a threaded connection) where the line is designed to separate. Am fixing that now.

 

It will not fix your problems, but you may consider throwing out the platinum plugs.
Although they last longer than copper and cost less than iridium, the platinum has the weakest spark.

 

injector leak is reducing the pressure over night. try priming the fuel pump a couple times before actually starting. see if that makes it any shorter.

leaks in the injector is usually internal. you cant seal it. just live with it.