Hello everyone. I am having a problem with my 2008 Honda Accord 3.5L V6. For the past couple of days it has been having trouble starting first thing in the morning. Last time I started it on the first crank it did not turn over. It is only when i cranked it a second time it would turn over and when it did start it would shutter until I gave it some throttle. This only happens after sitting overnight and doesn’t happened until the next day. What could possibly be causing this? Any advice would be greatly helpful, thank you.
There is no CEL for a vacuum leak.I don’t think theres any vacuum leaks since there is no CEL either.
@hixster yes but I've read that a vacuum leak will trip a code, such as the system running too lean, so that is why I assumed it would throw a CEL. I've checked anyways and don't seem to find any leaks.
@Jorge70707 'No codes' doesn't mean 'no problem'.. just as 'no CEL' doesn't mean 'no problem'. A fuel trim can be off up to 20% before tripping a code. (any mechanic should know this) Example: An engine with a negative fuel trim (-13) is running rich so the ECU shortens the duration of the injectors' sprays to compensate for this. Many things can cause fuel trims to be off, knowing whether it's off and by how much assists us in helping you. Your car needs a proper diagnosis. This mean it needs to be scanned and the live data needs to be examined.
What could possibly be causing this?
The car is 16 years old. (You did not mention mileage.) It could be a lot of things.
Start with the basics. Have you performed a diagnostic scan? What do your fuel trims look like? How old are your air and fuel filters? Have you tested fuel pressure? How old are your spark plugs? Have you tried cleaning your throttle body and MAF sensor? Any vacuum leaks?
@chucktobias Sorry I forgot to mention mileage. It has about 120,000 miles. As for a diagnostic scan, I had a mechanic check it out and said no codes popped up, as it only happens in the morning but then doesn’t happen until the next day. I haven’t checked out my fuel pressure, and as for the fuel filter I believe it is the OEM since it’s inside the actual fuel pump assembly. Air filter is relatively new, I believe spark plugs aren’t too old though i can check them just to make sure. Ill also try cleaning the throttle body and MAF sensor. I don’t think theres any vacuum leaks since there is no CEL either.
I had a mechanic check it out and said no codes popped up, as it only happens in the morning but then doesn’t happen until the next day.
Any codes would be stored when the condition occurred, or could be pending codes. What about live data? Looking for codes is just the bare beginning of the diagnostic process.
I haven’t checked out my fuel pressure, and as for the fuel filter I believe it is the OEM since it’s inside the actual fuel pump assembly.
That doesn't mean the fuel filter is not clogged, or your fuel pump could be weak. Such things can happen after 16 years.
I don’t think theres any vacuum leaks since there is no CEL either.
A vacuum leak will not necessarily trigger a check engine light.
@chucktobias Hey I would like to just give some more details. When I took it to the mechanic he told me there were no codes whatsoever so I'm assuming there were no stored codes either, and he checked the engine out on the outside and didn't see any leaks or anything like that. Also, when this rough cold start occurs I'll sometimes get the smell of gasoline. It seems to be coming from the exhaust and lately it hasn't been getting the best mileage. Can this possibly narrow it down to it being caused by the fuel system?
@jorge70707 You may have dripping fuel injectors. Check your fuel trims.