Hard to start, low idle with Mobil1 5W-20?

[kloppilt]

I wonder if this has happened to anyone else, or is it just me?

I had Exxon Superflow 5W-20 for 5000 miles in my Civic. Everything was OK. Last week I changed it to Mobil 1 5W-20 (oil now has 1800 miles on it) with SuperTech filter.

Since then the car has difficulty starting cold. Instead of starting within a second of turning the key, now it takes about second and a half to two seconds.

I wonder whether it's the gasoline that causes this.

Also, the car doesn't idle high during the cold starts. It drops down to normal rpm way quicker than the Exxon Superflow.

It's a 2003 Civic with 17,000 miles on it.

 

[kloppilt]

Forgot to mention that the previous filter was a SuperTech filter, too.

 

[Mike_dup1]

Well there is no way the oil or filter has anything to do with that.

 

[dustyjoe1]

I wouldn't think it would be oil related. Sounds like something changed in your enrichment circuit. If its been doing if for 1800 miles, unless you keep putting the same bad gas in it, i would rule out bad gas. My first thought would be to run some dry gas and fi cleaner in there and see what that does. If the car otherwise runs ok, just keep running it and change back to exxon next oci to verify that it is the oil , thats a strange one, I have an 02 and I've had zero problems. I have noticed that on startup mine is a little on the rich side till she hits op temp.
good luck.

r.

ps. you didn't accidentally pull any wires or vacum lines while changing the oil did you?

 

[Bob The Builder]

quote:

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Originally posted by kloppilt:
I wonder if this has happened to anyone else, or is it just me?

I had Exxon Superflow 5W-20 for 5000 miles in my Civic. Everything was OK. Last week I changed it to Mobil 1 5W-20 (oil now has 1800 miles on it) with SuperTech filter.

Since then the car has difficulty starting cold. Instead of starting within a second of turning the key, now it takes about second and a half to two seconds.

I wonder whether it's the gasoline that causes this.

Also, the car doesn't idle high during the cold starts. It drops down to normal rpm way quicker than the Exxon Superflow.

It's a 2003 Civic with 17,000 miles on it.

---

It sounds like possible spark plug contamination. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to change my plugs, as I had been running some SplitFire plugs for a while and wanted to try something different. I dropped in a set of regular NGK u grooves, and the engine starts before it even turns over. Oh, and I also cleaned my throttle body with a suitable cleaner. I like to spray it in all the vaccum passages leading into the throttle body. Just remove one vac hose at a time so you don't forget where they go.

BtB

PS. Before the plug change, the my truck took almost 2 to 3 revolutions to start. Not a horrible thing, just indicating a tuneup is needed. Also, check your air filter.

 

[Bob The Builder]

quote:

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Originally posted by Triple_Se7en:
I am an addicted Oil Mixologist
I seek help regularly & have no life

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Maybe we should have Dr. Phil com on the site and help us with our addictions?....

 

[sdude2k2000]

quote:

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Originally posted by Triple_Se7en:
Sounds like a fuel or tune-up problem. Fuel injector cleaner (heavy dose) - dry gas - intake Gummout spray near the air filter -- spray lubricant around the idle control linkage should take care of your problem.

That 5W-20 is recommended for fuel/pollution savings. Your Honda will last longer with 5W-30... especially if you're a heavy footer with lots of highway use. When the warranty expires, use the slightly heavier oil.

---

Here we go again

 

[jtantare]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike:
Well there is no way the oil or filter has anything to do with that.

---

Oil filter might have everything to do with that if the engine has hydraulic valve lifters.

 

[Geoff]

Fouled plugs probably. Could be the additives in the oil, bad fuel, etc. Take them out and clean them. Careful not to overtighten on the aluminum head.

If you leave your car outside, the humidity in the air condenses in the tank and forms water that settles to the bottom. This is especially bad in fall/spring when temps fall below dew points at night. Keep your tank full.

Edit: can also just be a weak battery. Weak batteries don't kick the engine over as quickly so the engine doesn't catch as easily. The difference is small, but enough. This is how I know the battery in my boat is going bad...

[ May 04, 2005, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: Geoff ]

 

[AEHaas]

It could be the gas. When they change from the winter to the summer formula too soon or too late these things happen. Ask the mechanic at the dealership. If they are getting a bunch of similar calls then it's the gas.

aehaas

 

[rg144]

So how many miles are on the current set of plugs/wires/battery? I had a Honda that was cutting out - and it turned out to be wires. If it's been 50,000 or so, treat it to new wires and plugs. Check the health of the coil if higher mileage (you should get a white/blue spark), and if it has a distributor cap, check for corrosion and replace as needed.

 

[BlazerLT]

unrelated and completely coincidental.

 

[VTEC01EX]

rg144, good suggestions, but the mighty D17 in the Civic has no distributor, and no plug wires.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Sounds like a fuel or tune-up problem. Fuel injector cleaner (heavy dose) - dry gas - intake Gummout spray near the air filter -- spray lubricant around the idle control linkage should take care of your problem.

That 5W-20 is recommended for fuel/pollution savings. Your Honda will last longer with 5W-30... especially if you're a heavy footer with lots of highway use. When the warranty expires, use the slightly heavier oil.

 

[kloppilt]

Must be the gas. It's probably the summer formula and the weather has been cold. I parked the car in the garage last night and it started right up this morning.

I guess I was being a little paranoid

 

[kloppilt]

The problem went away with the next fillup.

 

[mikemc]

FWIW, there is not one shred of proof in the way of used oil analysis or any other scientific data I'm aware of shows that a good Ford or Honda approved 5w20 will cause accelerated wear in an engine that's designed for its use.