Why is my car struggling to start?

milliebear00001

Have an eight year old Astra. Done around 70000 miles. Has always started like a dream, but just recently has begun to struggle. It still usually starts first time but takes a long time to 'fire' if you see what I mean. I have to depress the gas pedal too.

Any ideas what might be the problem? Is it likely to lead to bigger problems?!

Norman_Castle

petrol or diesel?

milliebear00001

...............petrol.

goldspanners

too low a pressure at the fuel rail?

could be a fuel pump or fuel rail or injector problem. pump would be my first guess though.

christineperseus

new battery - I was told they last for 5 years?

diable

christineperseus wrote: »

new battery - I was told they last for 5 years?

not always.........

darich

christineperseus wrote: »

new battery - I was told they last for 5 years?

milliebear00001 wrote: »

takes a long time to 'fire' if you see what I mean. I have to depress the gas pedal too!

If the car is turning and "taking a long time to fire" then it's not battery.
Battery is dead easy to check - use jump leads and connect to another car which starts well and try starting the struggling car without the good car running (otherwise it can draw too much power/current from alternator and burn it out)

turning without firing normally indicates lack of fuel or spark or both.
check spark plugs for gap and spark.
is fuel pump working properly?
if no spark then coil is struggling?

I'd also check other things like air filter since that affects how well a car runs.
How does car run once it's started??
Changed your filling station? maybe dirty fuel

When was the car last serviced?
Is it regularly serviced or only done when it starts to run like a dog?

Tons of things can cause a car to struggle to start.

milliebear00001

It's usually serviced every year. Last done about 6 months ago.

It runs OK once fired, but has the occasional slight 'judder'!

I have no idea how to check any of the things mentioned. Is it a garage job then? Likely to get worse?

Wee_Willy_Harris

Few cars "heal" themselves.

harveybobbles

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I have to depress the gas pedal too.

Any ideas what might be the problem?

petrol.............

Herein lies your problem...

milliebear00001

Do you mean I shouldn't have bought a petrol-fuelled car?!