01 Mitsubishi Colt - Getting it very hard to start!!!

Galway_guy_33

Hi All,

Hope someone on here can tell me what’s wrong with my car. It’s a 01 Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 petrol. Its got 120K miles on the clock, when its left sitting unused for a few days it gets it very hard to start. The battery is fine (replaced six months ago) as its turning over no problem, I keep my foot on the accelerator, this morning I was turning it over for a good two mins before it started…. It sounds like its kicking in at times and then just keeps turning.

Hope someone can help me out here?

Max_Damage

Blocked fuel filter?
Dodgy spark plugs?
Blocked fuel injectors?
No petrol in the tank maybe?

The list is endless.

itarumaa

Galway_guy_33 wrote: »

Hi All,

I keep my foot on the accelerator, this morning I was turning it over for a good two mins before it started…. It sounds like its kicking in at times and then just keeps turning.

Hope someone can help me out here?

What happens if you don´t keep your foot on the accelerator?

Are you sure that car does not actually get too much petrol?

But yeah, list is endess, first thing that would be needed to find out if the issue is petrol or spark related.

Galway_guy_33

Thanks guys....

Lots of petrol in the tank.... its probably over due a service.... so i think i'll start by doing the oil/oil filter/fuel & air filter and spark plugs.. anything else i should replace?

If i take my foot off the accelerator it doesnt kick at all just keeps turning...

itarumaa

OK,

I would get it serviced but for me it seems that there is something else wrong than just service,

maybe engine management that thinks engine is warm and does not give enough petrol, something like that.

But start with the spark plugs, you can see lot of info by just taking them out and looking at them, if they are black for instance then the car gets too much petrol.

fig mclough

they petrol line could be taking in air as well as petrol!!!!!! however try it with ur foot off da peddle as u mite b flooding the engine as cars hav a system ta run a bit fast when cold!!!!!! the old nissan micra flood alot wen ya do it!!!!!

L-M

Becareful trying to start it like that OP. If it keeps turning it will wear down the battery and you'll need jump leads/booster pack to start it. Try a service and see how it goes.

IK09

hey man again cud be a number of things.
to make sure its not the battery hook it up as if you were jumping it, if it starts first time it cud well be the battery, as you have tried repeatedly to turn it over this is heavy on the battery.

It cud also be your starter, which i wudnt really advice messin wit unless u have a hydraulic lift...if ya do just locate the starter(attached to the gear box on mitsubishis) and give it a good smack with a hammer. This may sound strange but your starter is like a coil that increases the voltage from the battery to spark the car and the coil cud be ceased.

you cud also try sanding the inside of the lines into the battery...disconnect the battery and you need to rub the inside of the connections with sandpaper to make sure its making proper contact.

try jumping first to test battery, as this is done from the outside of these lines in. then try sanding, then if you think u can the starter............................if they dnt work just get a service mate

Steo K

Hi Mate,

I'm actually looking for a Mitsubishi Colt myself around the 01 - 03 range.

What is it like to drive? ie. comfort,power,grip ect.

and how much did you pay for yours?

I'm looking in Carzone ect. and can spend around 3, 3 and a half K.

Galway_guy_33

Hi there, its actually my GF car "Steo K" she has started a new job and is driving 50 miles a day so if your interested let me know. I want here to get a diesel car...

Back to the main thread subject car has been running fine for the fast few days as its being used each day... when I first found this problem on Monday morning it had been sitting unused for 4 days.... could it be that I didnt push on the accelerator to start with and then gave it too much petrol by pushing it to the floor?

I'll be doing the full service this weekend... thanks for all the comments guys.

L-M

Galway_guy_33 wrote: »

Hi there, its actually my GF car "Steo K" she has started a new job and is driving 50 miles a day so if your interested let me know. I want here to get a diesel car...

Back to the main thread subject car has been running fine for the fast few days as its being used each day... when I first found this problem on Monday morning it had been sitting unused for 4 days.... could it be that I didnt push on the accelerator to start with and then gave it too much petrol by pushing it to the floor?

I'll be doing the full service this weekend... thanks for all the comments guys.

Problem could be lots of things added together. Service it and see how you get on. Let us know.

askU

Does it have less power than usual when out on the open road as well? Start by changing the spark plugs. This could also be a problem in the fuel possible a fuel filter. one or the other.

Let us know how you get on!

kermitpwee

I don't know what the problem is but i have had this on 2 lancers and a spacestar. it's when the car hasn't been driven for a while or it's excessively cold. I wouldn't worry about it if its been driven regularly. when it happens you will have to crank the engine a lot while giving it accelerator. It's the only way it will start but it will start eventually and run perfectly after that.

The only conclusion that i can come to is that it is a problem with the cold start valve/sensor not working.