Kia Picanto Mechanical Help

Malarky21

I have a 2009 Kia Picanto, on a warm day after being left overnight it will start and drive no problem, if its a cool or damp morning after being stood overnight it will start ok but for the first few minutes of driving it will missfire, splutter, the engine management light will flash although then stop flashing, eventually after a few minutes and the engine being a bit warmer the car will run fine. Does anyone know what could be the cause of this? I've had it in a garage but they found no fault codes on the diagnostics machine.

daveyjp

Why are so many garages unable to do some initial basic checks before simply stating 'computer says no?'.

If it is running poorly when cold it could be something as simple as a spark plug with a slightly too wide gap, dirty fuel filter.  Both simple jobs and part of regular maintenance.

Goudy

There are a couple of common ignition problems with certain engined Picanto's.
First could be one of the coils.
Camshaft sensors can play up.
Crankshaft sensors can play up.
That's not to say it could be something else, but I'd start with these three (and their wiring) first.
As the problem develops in cold or damp conditions it could be there's a crack in one of the above and damp is getting in.

Malarky21

I was advised by someone that it could be the coolant temperature sensor but its hard diagnosing as by the time i get to a garage the engine is warm and the fault doesn't occur