Do all Spiders hard start when it's cold?

[thefullnelly]

I was just wondering if Spiders typically have a harder time idling when the temperature is cold, and is there anything that could/should be done to help? Mine has been having just the slightest bit of trouble idling as the weather has been getting colder. Could buying a lighter weight oil for the winter help with that? I'm not sure it's that big of an issue, I just thought I might ask.

[narfire]

FI or carb'd ?

FI, there should not be too much of an issue, carb'd...I had issues way back when I had my 70 (1976) when in Vancouver on cold damp mornings. Once running it sorted itself out though. Wonder if one could have ice build up in the venturies??

Oh yea...how cold is "your cold"

[thefullnelly]

It's FI, and it doesn't get all that cold here (low 20's at the very worst). I wasn't all too concerned but thanks anyway

[thefullnelly]

Oh and any idea if that could have made it not start?

[narfire]

Didn't realize it would not start... weak battery? Does the idling even out as the car warms up? Wondering if the plenum heater takes a bit of time to warm up? Possible bit of ice build up at the start?

It's -16 deg C here and my 8o FI is tucked away till there is some heat in the air...usually around March.

[spidernut]

The EFI should fire right up at 20 degrees with no issues. I've owned two EFI models and they'd start immediately rain, shine, cold, hot, uphill, downhill, fog, clear, sitting for months, driven every day, regardless of conditions. Turn the key and varoom!

My carb'd car also starts the same in winter or summer when the automatic choke is working correctly. During the winter freeze it does need to warm up to run at its peak though.

[bradartigue]

I was just wondering if Spiders typically have a harder time idling when the temperature is cold, and is there anything that could/should be done to help? Mine has been having just the slightest bit of trouble idling as the weather has been getting colder. Could buying a lighter weight oil for the winter help with that? I'm not sure it's that big of an issue, I just thought I might ask.

If it is an FI car then you've likely got a combination of a sticking AAR (you can clean it) and possibly issues with the cold start system. If it is a carbureted car then yes, all carbureted cars of every make would have a little more trouble starting than a fuel injected car (it is trading off more fuel and less air, vs. an FI system which dumps in more fuel and more air, then more air as needed to keep the idle up), but it should be a matter of a few more cranks is all.

[majicwrench]

Properly running a FI car should fire and ilde easily at 20deg f.

Any well tuned carbed car will do the same. My 72 (manual choke, carb) fires first roll over, and idles fine at 20f.

Keith