Hard start after sitting a few days
 

Looking at a '98 with less than 100k miles for purchase. I'm trying to make a buy/no-buy decision on the car. There aren't many with miles this low, so it's getting some extra consideration.

Car sat for a while (like days, or maybe a week or two, not months). When started it died several times before it would run.

It runs well otherwise and was fine once warmed up. No codes, no pending codes. But, it has to be able to start after a few days sitting in the future so I'm concerned. It was dead cold, maybe 25 degrees out.

Thoughts on what it might be? Fuel drain back i.e. no pressure? Something else?

these cars need a thorough cleaning of the intake, TB, IACV, EGR around this milage. carbon build up in these areas can cause hard cold starts yes. also if you gave it gas it wouldnt help it start? sounds like usual maintenance.

Owner started it with a (too heavy) application of throttle.

Is this all fairly trivial i.e. pull some small items spray some cleaner? Or are any of these longer jobs? A rough idea will help me know, I don't need step by step yet, just a ball park idea on how much labor time is needed.

I would buy it no problem provided that the price is right. Can't be that many problems.

OK... feeling better about it them :-). It does run very well, no problems detected.

after its warmed up will it restart no problems ? could just be a dying battery and 25 degrees will make it act up, or it could be need better grounding (common issue) or like above dirty TB

i would also look under the front of the car where a support beam bolts to the center of the front cross beam, 2 big bolts going up, that area is known to rust though in areas that see snow and salt

+1

Measure the battery voltage. It could be a drained battery giving you an easier start after getting charged by the alternator.

OP, search for the mega thrad on TB, EGR, IACV, IM cleaning for dummies. it will answer all your questions on what i said, if its not battery or starter related.

man, i bought my max 8 years ago with 129,000 on the clock!!! i would'nt think twice about a max with that mileage!!! c'mon man!!!:slap:

yeah,i think so,, 2 big bolts going up, that area is known to rust though in areas that see snow and salt.thankshttp://www.maxin.us/imax/images/6.gif

Thanks, will do. It seemed to be spinning fast enough, so I'm thinking it's not a battery /starter issue. Seemed ignition/fuel related if I had to guess (and I do!).

Yes... very familiar with that - my other Max had a dropping motor and I had to have a new support welded in. This is a Southern car... very clean compared to what I see here in the NorthEast.