RB20 rough start

[ST240]

Other than starting, my rb20 runs like a god damn champ.

What happens is when i turn the engine over a have to crank it maybe 5 or 6 times. At this point in kinda sputters and putters and its BARELY running, it does this for 2 or 3 seconds then the idle jumps up and it starts purring like a kitten. Sometimes its kinda hard to get it started tho.

Anyone have any idea what the problem is?

[240daveTX]

we need more info on what your motor is in. s13 sohc, s13 dohc, s14

[ST240]

its an 89 so sohc s13, also it was previously auto.

[HxC_Nismo]

check your intercooler piping for any boost leaks, and also did you already set your base ignition timing and fuel psi?

[PorkChopExpress]

mine does this because i dont have a constant 12 volt to the ecu. so when starting it thinks its running instead of doing its starting procedure.

dont know where to run the 12 feed. let me know if you find out.

[ST240]

I did not set timing, however i set fuel pressure.

It also only happens on cold start... Once its warm its starts right up.

[HxC_Nismo]

do a compression test when cold, cause if it is fine when its warm there is a chance your rings are starting to go bad.

[ST240]

do a compression test when cold, cause if it is fine when its warm there is a chance your rings are starting to go bad.

I could see this being a possibility if it ran poorly until operating temp, but it only struggles for a few seconds and starts idling fine right away...

[RustspecS13]

Do you have the orange cold start wire connected?

zerothread/328569

Look at the post near the bottom its in there.

~Alex

[ST240]

Do you have the orange cold start wire connected?

zerothread/328569

Look at the post near the bottom its in there.

~Alex

I most certainly do not. I bet thats what it is. Thanks man ill go try it!

[RustspecS13]

Yea it helped out a lot on my rb20 starting up. I also always let my fuel system prime most of the time. That helps out too.

~Alex