Car chokes when starting

pheno

Hello,

I drive 2002 Ford Mondeo MK3 saloon 1.8l Zetec.
Sometimes, especially recently, when I turn the key to turn the car on, it "chokes" for like 5 seconds before it starts. It happens at least couple times a day. Sometimes it starts straight away. Also, when I am driving and begin to slow down, the car turns off. Not sure why either.

Now to note what could be a problem is the fact that the spark plugs haven't been changed since 2008. I know, a disaster.

Does anyone have this problem?

holdmybeer

Low mileage? If you dont drive it enough it could be choked up with deposits, starter or ECU. It could be a lot of things, get a diagnostic with a local garage and post results otherwise I dont know. Sorry OP.

pheno

holdmybeer wrote: »

Low mileage? If you dont drive it enough it could be choked up with deposits, starter or ECU. It could be a lot of things, get a diagnostic with a local garage and post results otherwise I dont know. Sorry OP.

I'm gonna have to get it checked. I will post results here. Also it has 76k miles.

keithsfleet

I'd start with changing the plugs.
Has it been serviced regularly?
I'd also keep an eye out for air leaks on the air intake.

pheno

keithsfleet wrote: »

I'd start with changing the plugs.
Has it been serviced regularly?
I'd also keep an eye out for air leaks on the air intake.

I do the following every year:

Brake pads
Tyres
Oil
Oil filter

Vicxas

I had a similar issue with my corolla. Check the mass airflow sensor, it could be gone.

keithsfleet

pheno wrote: »

I do the following every year:

Brake pads
Tyres
Oil
Oil filter

Any reason why you haven't done/do the plugs?

Is there any hesitation when accelerating, most notably in 1st 2nd or 3rd?

Does it hunt when idling?

pheno

keithsfleet wrote: »

Any reason why you haven't done/do the plugs?

Is there any hesitation when accelerating, most notably in 1st 2nd or 3rd?

Does it hunt when idling?

I don't have an explanation for not changing the plugs.

No hesitation when accelerating, seems normal.

What do you mean by "hunt when idling"?

The revs go up and down slowly sometimes and you can feel the car doing something, not sure what, if thats what you mean.

pheno

Vicxas wrote: »

I had a similar issue with my corolla. Check the mass airflow sensor, it could be gone.

Did your car switch of while driving/slowing down by any chance.

I'll get that checked.

Bobo78

Could be:

dirty throttle body
dirty idle air control valve
dirty/faulty air flow meter/maf sensor
spark plugs
air filter if it hasn't been changed in long time

I would start with first 3 and changing the air filter and see it from there.

keithsfleet

pheno wrote: »

I don't have an explanation for not changing the plugs.

No hesitation when accelerating, seems normal.

What do you mean by "hunt when idling"?

The revs go up and down slowly sometimes and you can feel the car doing something, not sure what, if thats what you mean.

Hunting is when sitting at traffic lights you hop out of the car, hide behind lampposts jump on people smaller than you....

It's if your sitting at traffic lights not moving with the engine in neutral and the revs won't sit steady at the idle speed. I.e they will fluctuate between say 700rpm and 1400rpm.

If it does I would consider looking at replacing the gear speed sensor, common fault on slightly older fords.
I had a02 focus and a 00puma not long ago with these faults.

pheno

keithsfleet wrote: »

Hunting is when sitting at traffic lights you hop out of the car, hide behind lampposts jump on people smaller than you....

Hahaha!

keithsfleet wrote: »

It's if your sitting at traffic lights not moving with the engine in neutral and the revs won't sit steady at the idle speed. I.e they will fluctuate between say 700rpm and 1400rpm.

It does exactly that, not all the time, but occasionally it does.

Thanks.