Sitting Issues

[danmartinic]

Just got back from a 1-week trip and the car ran like crap first 15kms this morning... then magically ran perfect second 15kms.

This is always the pattern: I park it in perfect running order.. I go away.. I come back.. it suddenly has all these issues. Which all clear up half way to work, never to be seen again until the next time I leave somewhere.

Makes me wonder how many problems come from the lack of driving. Moisture in the gas.. sensors that need some mechanical action.. whatever else doesn't like to just sit there.

Perhaps the first question to ask the no-start rough-running hesitating low-power boost cutting-off missing no spark condition is "when did you last drive it?"

[walfreyydo]

My 2c but it sounds like once the car warms up it runs better.

Therefore the first thing I would check is the DME temp sensor (the blue top one that sits under the hard coolant line coming from the head). Thats not the only thing it could be but likely the easiest to address as a first step.

[danmartinic]

Thanks but after work today, cold engine, cold outside temps: completely normal and fine running.

As if this morning never happened

This is not a one-time event. Every year I travel, sometimes for longer periods. Always the same thing.. unless my son starts it up on me a few times while I'm gone

I'm convinced these cars have a "sitting disease"

[Tom]

Sounds a lot like myself. The longer I sit, the longer it takes me to get moving normally.

If I had to guess, I'd say your injectors get sticky when they sit due to built up varnish, etc. and need a little time to free up. Fuel tank strainer and filter could also be doing the same. Or one of a million other things.

You can clean the injectors yourself with a can of carb cleaner, creative hose adapters, and a 9 volts battery. I recommend it at least every 250k miles.