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[VOYAGER]

Hello,
My car has some problems with starting the engine as the weather gets cooler in the mornings here. 
At every cranking, it vibrates as it is running but no success. After 8-10 cranking attempts, engine starts finally like it has never faulted... After a successful start or when the engine is hot, everything is normal...
Could it be clogged fuel filter or a faulty fuel pump?  For the information, I have already had the crank sensor replaced 3 months ago.
The car is 1998, 2,5 V6, Auto... Any ideas???

[symes]

idle control valve and breathers need a clean  --also think this thread should be in general help

[dbug]

Sounds fuel related - could be clogged filter or pump or loss of fuel overnight from fuel rail/injectors

[cem_devecioglu]

initial estimation : ignition or fuel related.. you say when it gets hot everything is normal , so it leads me to the point to imagine there is an electrical problem when cold..   and another question is does it really spark when cold ? if yes, then you can continue with the fuel componentchecks..
 
 
ps: this thread belongs to general help section.. so admin intervention required

[VOYAGER]

Sounds fuel related - could be clogged filter or pump or loss of fuel overnight from fuel rail/injectors

Thanks dbug...
I think I will replace the fuel filter first and then check other issues...

[VOYAGER]

initial estimation : ignition or fuel related.. you say when it gets hot everything is normal , so it leads me to the point to imagine there is an electrical problem when cold..   and another question is does it really spark when cold ? if yes, then you can continue with the fuel componentchecks..

ps: this thread belongs to general help section.. so admin intervention required

Thanks Cem...
As I mentioned above, I will replace the fuel filter first...

You are absolutely right...I have not noted that this issue was directly related with General Help, while I was searching such as "engine cold, cold start, etc...".
So, with apologies, may I ask from Admin to move this to the General Help section? 

[VOYAGER]

Today, the problem solved...
The faulty one was the COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, as it was identified by Kevin Wood on the December 8, 2009...
Thanks to Kevin, since he has explained the details and described the fault almost four years ago in a topic "3.0 mv6 hard to start when cold" as follows:
Is it turning over at a reasonable speed on the starter? YES

Does it start if you turn it over with your foot flat on the accelerator for a few seconds and then start it normally? YES

Does it idle and run Ok once it is running? Idle speed control OK? No misfires? YES

It would be worth doing a paperclip test to see if there are any codes stored. Not all of them light the EML. NO CODE...

If the above all checks out OK I would be checking the coolant temperature sensor. perhaps the ECU is not seeing the true engine temperature so is not enriching the mixture enough when cold.

Thanks Kevin...

As a hint, there is no need to remove the plenum and the manifold.  To remove the scuttle drain is enough to reach and remove/replace the CTS. It just takes not more than 20 minutes if the engine is cold enough to touch...
I will add the pictures if I can do...

[VOYAGER]

1. Remove wipers and the scuttle drain (Driver side on LH steering)

2. Remove rear multirams and position the spanner (19 mm)

3. Spanner

4. CTS became like that after 15 years...

[VOYAGER]

I am back again with the same problem...
After replacement of the CTS, a few days later, the same problem has risen again ... 
Except for the CTS, the things I have done related to this are:
* Cleaning ICV
* Cleaning butterfly valve
* Replacement of fuel filter and pump

No EML and no fault code... So, what else can I do before kicking her to the junkyard?

[cem_devecioglu]

Voyager,  first things first..

you have to be sure for 2 things..

is there a spark when you turn the ignition when its cold
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZceAZgZBn9E

if there is, then fuel pressure and pressure drop can be checked via manometer

and also a tech2 may help to monitor the engine..

but nowadays as weather is relatively hot you have to wait for minus temperatures ..

ps: I assume you checked your battery voltage and battery terminals..

[dbug]

Check the large round electric plugs behind battery are properly connected and not loose

[VOYAGER]

Check the large round electric plugs behind battery are properly connected and not loose

Thaks for the advice...
Even if the connector was slightly loose, it did not work. 
Whenever the weather is warm enough, it starts normally. But, when it is colder, it is rather hard to start the engine unless I step down the accelerator even this won't work most of the time...