Hi all,

Please excuse my noobery, as I'm fairly new to Hyundais, being mainly a Vauxhall nut!

My girlfriends mum has a 1998 Accent LSi (does anyone know what engine this one has? - thats been bugging me too!) which is getting harder and harder to start in cold or damp conditions.

It started about a month ago when the battery took to losing charge when driving. I tracked this down to an intermittent earth from the alternator. I replaced that and it was fine for a week or so.

Basically now, in damp or wet conditions it can take a couple of twists of the key to get it to fire. I don't think it is cold related because we have had many cold mornings that we not damp and it fired straight up.

It has been getting gradually worse, and when turning it sounds like the engine is trying to fire but not quite getting there.

I have already checked and replaced : Fuel filter, oil flush + change + filter, air filter, spark plugs and just for good measure drained the coolant and put all fresh in.

My next line of attack was going to be : Changing the leads (and spraying contacts with anti-damp stuff), and changing the battery which has seemed a little weak ever since the alternator escapade, although not weak enough for it not to start.

Is there anything else specific to Hyundai I should be checking / replacing when I do these?

Also, the engine sounds a bit tappety for 5 mins after a cold start. I'm guessing the only way to rectify this is to have the tapps out and clean out with carb cleaner or replace? - Checked oil is upto required level, and it is. Doesn't use any oil between services.

Car is on 98,000m and generally runs well, and pulls very well (comparable to my 1.8 Vauxhall Astra) - Just for info, does anyone know what engine size the LSi had?

Cheers,

HougTimo

anyone? done the above and it's still being stubborn. Done a comp test today and all was fine...

Dear houg,

Sorry, we normally are quite prompt with answers. See:

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-a...nt-2003512.html

Because you have the LSi, you have the 1.3 liter engine.

Do UK automobiles come with an underhood exhaust emissions sticker? If yes, another way to check is for the listed displacement as either 1341cc, 1495cc, or 1599cc.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Alpha_engine

For the cold damp starting problem, you have not diagnosed if you have a spark failure or a fuel failure. Replace a weak battery first just to eliminate that as a problem. You said you needed to do this anyway.

1) Buy a can of starting ether.
2) Remove the top of the air box housing.
3) While cranking the engine cold and damp, spray starting ether in to the upper part of the air box housing that has the intake hose connected to the intake manifold. If the engine fires and sputters, spray the ether in short bursts every 2-3 seconds. You are attempting to supply fuel to keep the engine running. If it runs, you have diagnosed a fuel delivery problem. Have your fuel pump checked for volume and pressure.
4) If your engine does not fire with starting ether, you have a weak or non-existent spark. Start with replacing the spark plugs and spark plug wires (ignition cables in UK). [Sorry, just noted that spark plugs were replaced. Do replace the ignition cables.]

Byron

This post has been edited by byronguidry3732: Jan 9 2008, 04:47 PM

Thanks for the reply :)

I have tonight replaced the HT leads, spark plugs (again - for Bocsh Multi-electrode units) and battery.

I have also run through a can of injector cleaner which certainly helped the car to run smoother at idle.

I don't think it is a fiel delivery problem, as there is plenty of fuel getting into the rail, the injectors seem to be spraying a fine mist, and after cranking for a while there is the smell of unburned petrol around the exhaust.

I have coated all the connections with PTFE based anti-damp spray so it doesn't wash off like WD-40 does. Also I put a layer of petroleum jelly around the battery terminals.

Left it for an hour in damp / wet conditions and it is still prooving hard to start.

Really not sure what else to try?

Hi,

I have a 99 Accent and it sound like we are having very similar problems! Mine will start ok but for the first 10 minutes the engine will only fire on 2 cylinders. This will only happen when the car has left in damp conditions over night. I too have change the plugs, HT leads, oil filter, and oil and I am still getting the problem? There is obviously moisture getting in to the electrics somewhere that evaporats once the engine in hot, but I haven’t got a clue where!? If you have any brake through with you car please let me know?!

Cheers
Dave

Sorry to bump an old topic (although I did start it!)

The car I was asking about is now mine (for the grand sum of £100!) and generally very happy.

The starting issue was resolved for some time by fitting a replacment CP sensor. This did fix it for a few months, but occasionally it is acting up again now.

We have changed the following items : Spark plugs, HT leads, battery, all filters, changed oil, coolant, distributor / rotor arm. I know some of those aren't relevant, but you get the picture.

There is plenty of fuel getting to the rail, the pump also primes when the ignition is turned on.

Good spark from all the plugs too.

Borrowed a compression tester and the results were about spot on (according to my mechanic).

In warm weather it runs like a dream! Just when it's damp it doesn't want to know. The starting ether trik didn't work either.

Any other ideas?

The eml isn't on and no codes are stored.