Car Won't Start in Cold :( Help?

[Houmack]

I just moved from a warmer climat to the Canadian Prairies with my 03 4Runner. I don't have a block heater yet (well, I bought one yesterday and didn't get a chance to have it installed). Last night was the first time i was forced to leave the car out in the cold.

This morning, the car doesn't start. It cranks, but doesn't turn over. I had done some research and put Mobile 1 Synthetic 0-W20 oil in her before I came here. Thought that would be enough!?!??! guess not.

Do i have any options other than towing her to a shop?

Thanks,

H.

 

[DC runner]

Could be your cold start injector...

Anyway. To start it in really cold situations, keep a can of "cold start fluid"... it is essentially spray ethanol that you shoot down the air intake. It gives the engine that really easily ignitable fluid for that 1 second it needs to get going. I always keep a can in my truck. It works as brake cleaner too.

It is cheap and a lot of people in very cold climates keep it around. MOdern cars have made the need go away to some degree, but while you figure out what is wrong.. it will get you started.

 

[scottm]

Outdoors or indoors? I've used a light bulb under the oil pan to keep my engine above freezing in my garage at night, wouldn't work so well outdoors without putting cardboard or similar around it to block the wind and contain the warmth.

I also carry starting fluid, it works but not great for long-term use. It cleans the lubricating oil off moving parts just as well as it works as a brake cleaner, and drastically increases wear for very brief periods. We used to use WD40, but it wouldn't get through the air filters very well.

 

[TRDCal]

That's weird cuz with my job (3 weeks on, 3 weeks off) during my three weeks on I don't go home so my truck sits in -10 to -20 weather (Montreal, Canada) without being started or plugged in. Once I'm done my three weeks it starts no problem, turns over a couple extra times but still starts. I run 5W30 full synthetic. Is yours a v6 or v8??

For you current problem, I would get a small electric heater and leave it under your hood for a couple hours that should help unless it's a faulty part like mention above.

 

[DC runner]

I just moved from a warmer climat to the Canadian Prairies with my 03 4Runner. I don't have a block heater yet (well, I bought one yesterday and didn't get a chance to have it installed). Last night was the first time i was forced to leave the car out in the cold.

This morning, the car doesn't start. It cranks, but doesn't turn over. I had done some research and put Mobile 1 Synthetic 0-W20 oil in her before I came here. Thought that would be enough!?!??! guess not.

Do i have any options other than towing her to a shop?

Thanks,

H.

I should have commented on this earlier. The difference in weight between 0 and 5 is negligible in that it isn't your problem.

Honestly. Have you checked your battery? It could be your cold start system, but I doubt it. Cold, real cold, can kill a weak battery. If you "just" moved up there; how is the battery?

 

[Houmack]

Thanks guys for the reply.

I took a cab to a parts store and picked up a Megnatic block heater. Slabbed her to the oil pan and plugged it in. Waited 2 hours and she turned over with ease.

Now, time to get my real block heater installed. It's not realistic to keep going under the car to use this megnatic one.

I'll be doing my best to keep my car underground as much as I can.

Cheers!

 

[DC runner]

You should def. have at least the cold start system looked at. Not sure HOW cold it was, but it should have at least started on you.

A block heater is helpful and will keep your engine nice and warm and save long term damage; but I swear a modern car should at least be able to crank. It is unrealistic to expect to ALWAYS be near a power plug in the cold. Block heaters were really necessary with carb'ed vehicles.

Not sure how cold you are talking, but I lived in MT for a while and it would regularly get down to -30 with wind chill and my truck always started with or without the block heater.

So, just a point. You should have your truck looked at. Being stranded bc your truck doesn't start is not a good thing, and modern vehicles should not REQUIRE a block heater unless we are talking serious arctic circle cold here.

 

[TRDCal]

I lived in MT for a while and it would regularly get down to -30 with wind chill and my truck always started with or without the block heater.

I agree with everything your saying I just wanted to point out that "wind chill" doesn't affect inanimate objects. If it's -10 but feels like -100 with the wind chill, the truck still only thinks it's -10.

 

[DC runner]

Yes. And sometimes it was -30 without wind chill. My point was, it was cold. Very cold. And my truck would always start, with or without block heater.

A modern truck shouldn't leave you stranded in cold, not not insane cold temperatures and makes me thing there is something larger at issue with his vehicle and I would be worried. If I lived in a cold place anymore and was worried anytime it got cold if it would start, I would not consider that a reliable truck.

 

[MikeInNH]

Getting a block heater isn't going to solve this problem. The only way oil is the problem is that if it's so thick because of the cold that it prevents the 4runner from cranking.

You say it cranks, but doesn't turn over. Cranking and turning over mean the same thing. I assume you mean it turns over, but won't start.

What may be happening is a frozen fuel line. Sometimes water gets in the gas and at extremely cold temps the water freezes and stops gas flow.

Try some starting fluid or even just spray a little gas in the air intake (remove the air filter first). If the truck starts then it's gas starvation (probably due to a frozen gas line).

 

[Houmack]

You should def. have at least the cold start system looked at. Not sure HOW cold it was, but it should have at least started on you.

A block heater is helpful and will keep your engine nice and warm and save long term damage; but I swear a modern car should at least be able to crank. It is unrealistic to expect to ALWAYS be near a power plug in the cold. Block heaters were really necessary with carb'ed vehicles.

Not sure how cold you are talking, but I lived in MT for a while and it would regularly get down to -30 with wind chill and my truck always started with or without the block heater.

So, just a point. You should have your truck looked at. Being stranded bc your truck doesn't start is not a good thing, and modern vehicles should not REQUIRE a block heater unless we are talking serious arctic circle cold here.

you were right. Nothing wrong with my cold start. I found out I was using the wrong key lol. The key I was using wasn't chipped thus car would crank but wouldn't start.

Oh silly

 

[TRDCal]

I found out I was using the wrong key lol. The key I was using wasn't chipped thus car would crank but wouldn't start.

Hahaha...I did the same thing with my buddys van. I borrowed his Olds Silhouette to go to town. Did my errands and went to start it...nothing. Here I am cursing Chevs and it turns out I was using the wrong key lol

 

[Gecko123]

Could be your battery not providing enough cold cranking amps? Notice that batteries usually indicate a cold cranking amps. Basically, when it's colder, you have less cranking amp power for any battery, even new. So if it's a battery that is older and also has a poor cold cranking amp rating, that could be your problem.

With not enough current (cold cranking amps), it will crank but not enough for the starter to get things going though.