addi monster

hi all , i bought the wife a 2004 KA with the 1.4 duratec petrol engine, when its warm it starts 1st time but recently its being a pain to start it when its cold, it turns over for ages before firing, also it has a slight missfire, any ideas guys, cheers

addi monster

btt, any help guys,.,.

oldford

Is your MIL (EML) on? Then have the codes read.
How is the engine running cold? Is the engine hunting at idle?

Do you hear the fuel pump when you switch the ignition on?
If yes, then wait 2 seconds before starting.
If no, start engine briefly (1-2 seconds), switch off and try again.

addi monster

hi, the pump primes ok, the car does hunt from time to time, there is no lights on the dash (eml ect),, would this be the ect sender,.

oldford

Hunting at cold idle suggest a lean mixture. The hunting disappears when the engine warms up (and the oxygen sensor start to work)?

Could be a defective/ageing sensor (like ect or act) or some air leak.
Fuel pressure a bit low is another possibility.
Check all vacuüm connections around the inlet manifold for leaks/cracks.
Then have the sensors checked at cold engine.

addi monster

tbh i reckon it is the ect sensor, it all ads up with the faults and symptoms of a failing ect so i will get one asap,
steve