Rogue wouldn't start this morning

[jmbones]

My wifes '08 Rogue had trouble starting this morning. It is parked in a heated garage. It took about 40-60 seconds of constant turning over (yes, I know that is not good for the starter) before it would fire. Then finally it began to catch. Almost like it wasn't getting fuel. Shut it off and it fired right up afterwards. No lights on the dash or any other symptons. She said it drove fine and no issues on her way to work.

[Pescakl1]

Do you know if the car was all the same during the 40-60 seconds or if it was shacking from time to time, almost starting and die right after?

In the first case, it could have been an electrical glitch, not having the sparks firing. In this case, it is better to stop for a while and start the procedure from the beginning with a pause between the key in the ON position and the start, just to be sure that everything is checked and auto diagnosis done.

In the second case, it could have been contaminated fuel, with maybe some water in it. Did the car smoke a bit after it started the second time?

Maybe some more experienced members can chime in since I have never experienced that myself in any of my car.

[jmbones]

I stopped and started a few times but after that, it was almost trying to fire so I just kept it going until it did fire. I did not notice any smoke, however I assume it could have been bad gas. My wife filled up 2 days ago and didn't have a problem with it until this morning tho.

[philipa_240sx]

In case this happens to anyone else, I suggest the following procedure described on pg 5-11 in the Owners Manual:

If the engine is very hard to start in extremely cold weather or when restarting:

1) Depress the accelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to the floor) and hold it and then crank the engine.2) Release the accelerator pedal when the engine starts.

If the engine is very hard to start because it is flooded:

1) Depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.2) Crank the engine for 5 - 6 seconds.3) After cranking the engine, release the accelerator pedal. 4) Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal by turning the ignition switch to START. 5) Release the ignition switch when the engine starts. 6) If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the above procedure.

Do not operate the starter for more than 15 seconds at a time. If the enginedoes not start, turn the ignition switch off and wait 10 seconds before crankingagain, otherwise the starter could be damaged.

[Couz]

I suspect the engine flooded...this used to happen to my old car frequently.

[crayb]

We are having 15-20 degree mornings here in Central Mississippi USA and I heard my local news channel saying not to fill your fuel tank but stop at half tank to prevent condensation in the tank (?) Can't say I've ever heard of this before, however it's hardly ever this cold here

Ray

[Elton Noway]

We are having 15-20 degree mornings here in Central Mississippi USA and I heard my local news channel saying not to fill your fuel tank but stop at half tank to prevent condensation in the tank (?) Can't say I've ever heard of this before, however it's hardly ever this cold here

Hi Ray... You are right to question their advice... it also explains why you never heard that piece of advice before. They're wrong! In the winter it is always better to fill your tank to reduce the potential for condensation forming inside your gas tank. The condensation that forms can lead to frozen fuel lines among other problems. I think they confused an old adage with the rule of thumb. That is, in the winter you should treat a half full gas tank as empty. In other words, always stop for a fill up when your tank is half empty. The reason behind this is the less interior surface area on the inside walls of the gas tank means less area for condensation to form. In other words, the lower the level of gas in your tank the more surface area for the condensation to form which leads to more water in your fuel tank. Another benefit to always keeping your tank full in the winter is less fear of running out of gas due to unexpected traffic delays... and/or being able to run the engine and stay warm until help arrives.

That said... the good news is condensation in your tank and the dreaded "fuel line freeze up" is not the problem is was years ago when gasoline was 100% pure. Todays fuels now contain at least 10% ethanol. The benefit of ethanol is it tends to mix with water so when condensation does form in your tank... the ethanol will carry the moisture to the engine and allow it to be burnt off.
Modified by Elton Noway at 11:42 PM 1/7/2010

[philipa_240sx]

Interesting side note....

My '03 Altima 2.5S used to have occasional cold start issues. I eventually got the ECM reprogrammed which eliminated the problem. The dealer had instructed me on the no start/flooded engine procedure I posted above if it reoccurred.