
Signature
The goal when driving is to miss the maximum number of objects.
> It's not likely that the programming for your car will ever allow the
> cold start valve to operate. If it does however it only fires when the
> starter is engaged.
Why's that? Is it just for extremely low temperatures?
> Your problem sounds as if you are losing fuel pressure.
Possibly, but more often than not it will start properly, straight away.
<Snip>
> It's also possible that the injectors themselves are not closing
> completely on shut down and are dripping or the fuel pump relay is
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> pump to run for a second or two to prime the fuel lines. If this cure
> the problem then proceed back to the beginning of the paragraph.
I haven't ever noticed the fuel pump running at all, to be honest.
> If the above doesn't provide a solution then perhaps some ignition
> maintenance is in order. It is possible that the coil is intermittent
> and provides a weak spark when the trouble occurs, compounded by well
> worn spark plugs or old wires, cap and rotor.
It has a new coil, distributor cap and plugs.
I had a good look round the engine bay today and noticed that the braided
earth strap which runs from the bulkhead to one of the rocker cover bolts
(there are two - the other one disappears under the distributor somewhere)
had broken away from its connector, which couldn't have helped matters, so
that's now repaired. I hope, but doubt, that it caused the bad starting!
Si