My car always starts up quick when its cold (as in the temp guage is at the bottom, regardless of outdoor temp). I can hear the engine turn over maybe 3 times at most and it'll start up fine, idle normal etc. Usually it'll start up on the first or 2nd turn over. The problem I'm concerned with is that when I get in teh car after letting it sit for an hour or 2 and the temp is still above the bottom level, it will sometimes turn over 5 or 8 times before it comes to life. I've got ngk platinums with under 60k miles on them, new air filter, cleaned the TB a few weeks ago (HUGE improvement btw), new EGR valve solenoid, always use 93 octane, and just had an oil change (dumb monkey put 10w-30 in it). I don't think the oil is the problem, and all that needs to be changed for a tune up is fuel filter and pcv valve...but I'm pretty sure these aren't exactly old. The car has 91k miles and had its regularly schedule 60k maintenance. any suggestions on what to check? it's embarassing when it sounds like your car isn't going to start

I had a Volvo some years ago with the same problem, so you might want to check this out.

You could have a bad check valve in the fuel system (between the fuel pump and the engine). When the engine is hot, no problem because you will still have some residual fuel pressure in the line. When the engine is cold, the cold start injectors blow some gasoline into the engine and again no problem. When the engine is warm (has sat for some time) you will lose the residual fuel pressure and the cold start injectors will not fire, so the fuel pump needs to run a while before the engine will turn over.

Good idea. On the maxima, where is the fuel check valve located? is it under the hood, before the fuel filter, and in line with it? or am i going to need to look near the fuel tank/pump area?

when i find the valve, how can i check to see if it has failed? any electrical contacts to check for resistance etc.?

Bogus on the check valve, he'd have a problem when it was cold too!!!

Even after replacing my fuel filter and letting all the gas and pressure out of the system, my car still started very quickly, like within 2-3 seconds of cranking.

Your having hard starts on a warm engine - and all tune up items are covered, then change your engine coolant temperature sensor.

how much $ am i looking at spending for an engine coolant temp sensor? I've got the haynes outside in the glovebox so ill take a look at how to replace it whenever i use the car next (probably a few weeks)
thanks everyone.

I guess all i need would be the part number for the engine coolant temperature sensor. thanks to you if you have it.

part # anyone?

Call your local dealer. It's a cheap part.