dodgy morning starts??

silverzetec · 01-09-2009, 11:28 AM

Hi All,
have an 09 Fiesta Zetec and has been a great car uptil a few weeks ago. The issue is: when starting the car in the mornings, after about 30 seconds or so the car will miss and shudder. the car then recovers itself and all is well. It doesnt matter if the car is idling in park or has been put into driver or reverse. This only happens on first start in the mornings, and occasionally later in the day if the car has not been driven since the morning.

when i bought the car it had been filled up with ULP. but i have since been using vpower 100ron. could this be the issue? it has been very gradual and appears to be getting worse.

the vehicle has been back to Fords and they have reprogrammed to puter, but issue has remained. They are liasing with a german team to find the issue.

any ideas?

mowog · 01-09-2009, 11:51 AM

Sounds like you have the same feature as many of the XR4's have. Cold start issues are a feature not a problem.

silverzetec · 01-09-2009, 12:18 PM

lol, thats basically what Fords are saying.

MISTA FIESTA · 01-09-2009, 12:28 PM

Hmm might be a more serious problem as what I would have suggested (ECU Flash + 30 sec before moving) you have alreay done. I dont think the difference in petrol would cause it but you never know.

For the record my XR4 and WP never had cold start issues.

mowog · 01-09-2009, 12:48 PM

Mine has the cold start issue. But it doesn't get driven much now it spends most of its time at the back of the carport. Mainly because I have taken it away from the kids. They all love to drive it but can't manage to find money to put petrol in it. The Mini Cooper Diesel will take its place and kids wont get to drive it either.

Piotr · 01-09-2009, 12:54 PM

Check your spark plugs. They have been known to go sour with the boat ride over

silverzetec · 01-09-2009, 01:29 PM

Its about 1000k away from its first service. im going to request that they change the plugs and oil as well. not sure if its done on the first one.
I doubt the 100ron is an issue but am going to try a 95 or 98ron. the issue didnt start until using the Vpower 100ron. dunno.

one note is the puter is not logging any errors, so Ford are a bit stumped.

mowog · 01-09-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverzetec

Its about 1000k away from its first service. im going to request that they change the plugs and oil as well. not sure if its done on the first one.
I doubt the 100ron is an issue but am going to try a 95 or 98ron. the issue didnt start until using the Vpower 100ron. dunno.

one note is the puter is not logging any errors, so Ford are a bit stumped.

Mate most dealers are stumped when you ask them what day it is....

curik · 01-09-2009, 04:44 PM

I had that problem before, but after the 1st service (ECU updated) I don't notice it anymore. It's not really fuel related as I used 98 and 91 before

dannyhilton · 01-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Yesterday mine started doing this again. My Zetec did it with about 100km on the clock then all was good up untill now. Nearly 3000km now and it's done that exact same thing four times (morning and afternoon). If your driving while it does it it refuses to rev and coughs and spluters until you put the pedal to the floor and it slowly builds revvs. Getting annoying. Mine still has a squeel when the clutch is depressed and first gear engaged most mornings too...

Ben85 · 01-09-2009, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverzetec

Its about 1000k away from its first service. im going to request that they change the plugs and oil as well. not sure if its done on the first one.
I doubt the 100ron is an issue but am going to try a 95 or 98ron. the issue didnt start until using the Vpower 100ron. dunno.

one note is the puter is not logging any errors, so Ford are a bit stumped.

Doesnt the Vpower 100Ron have a 10% ethanol blend to get the RON rating that high? Because ethanol does boost RON levels. Maybe its the Ethanol blend in the fuel seeing asthough it has only happened recently.

silverzetec · 02-09-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben85

Doesnt the Vpower 100Ron have a 10% ethanol blend to get the RON rating that high? Because ethanol does boost RON levels. Maybe its the Ethanol blend in the fuel seeing asthough it has only happened recently.

I think your spot on there Ben85. I let the tank get pretty low on the Vpower, then put just regular ULP in, drove around awhile and tested again this morning and was fine. no coughing, no stalling. the morning was no warmer or cooler than any other morning.
will keep testing just in case its a coincidence. dont want to jinx myself.

Piotr · 02-09-2009, 02:29 PM

Vpower Racing is 5% ethanol and ALL fiestas are e5 compliant

Ben85 · 02-09-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

Vpower Racing is 5% ethanol and ALL fiestas are e5 compliant

Compliant is one thing, liking it is another. My VE Clubsport is E10 compliant, but put it in there and the timing has an absolute fit, it runs, but it doesnt like it.

silverzetec · 03-09-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

Vpower Racing is 5% ethanol and ALL fiestas are e5 compliant

On the fuel cap and in the drivers manual, it says that you can use E10.
Two days in a row WITHOUT the Vpower fuel and no dodgy morning starts.

Coincedence or fuel related? Im thinking the Fiesta just doesnt like the Vpower.

zetec jim · 03-09-2009, 10:40 AM

Give it the old "Italian Tune"... I.E. rev its guts out when driving for say 10-15min (after its warmed up of course)... clear out the cobwebs!!! :evil3: j.k.

geohatrick · 08-09-2009, 09:06 AM

my xr4 only runs on caltex 98 (fuel card) and it cough's and splatters sometimes last night it wouldn't even start till i put my foot flat on the accelerator and then it started and got the revved out of it :S. It also will take 2 starts to get it to turn over most times i get in the car.