Hi, i have a 1989 pontiac tempest. My problem is when it is really cold and i leave my car without working like overnight and tempurature reaches below -32 or so then when i try to start the car sometimes it cranks really really slow and then starts. But sometimes i turn the key to start it and there is nothing the starter does nothing but battery is fine just changed it twice thinking that could be the problem, even checked the voltage on it. What i do in this case is plug the block heater 2 hours then the car starts fine. Lucky for me i have a back yard parking to do this. What i did yet was changed the oil to 5-30 changed spark plugs changed battery twice. My car tech is not sure if it is the starter since when it is hot it starts like a brand new car. What can i do to cure this problem i dont wanna change 10 things and not getting the right thing fixed like changing a already good part.
Thank for any help possible, like to fix this quickly dont want this to happen to offen cause i am getting late to work cause of this.

well it might be beacuse the engine is old...:rolleyes:

Changing the oil will help some. In -32 conditions the motor oil will get pretty damn thick. That was your biggest problem. The other thing is you need to get that car a block heater or in a heated shelter/garage. Other than that, sounds like you live in a damn cold place this time of year, thats your luck....:bandit:

Originally posted by hotwired
Hi, i have a 1989 pontiac tempest. My problem is when it is really cold and i leave my car without working like overnight and tempurature reaches below -32 or so then when i try to start the car sometimes it cranks really really slow and then starts. But sometimes i turn the key to start it and there is nothing the starter does nothing but battery is fine just changed it twice thinking that could be the problem, even checked the voltage on it. What i do in this case is plug the block heater 2 hours then the car starts fine. Lucky for me i have a back yard parking to do this. What i did yet was changed the oil to 5-30 changed spark plugs changed battery twice. My car tech is not sure if it is the starter since when it is hot it starts like a brand new car. What can i do to cure this problem i dont wanna change 10 things and not getting the right thing fixed like changing a already good part.
Thank for any help possible, like to fix this quickly dont want this to happen to offen cause i am getting late to work cause of this.

the replacement of the starter prolly not needed ( My case it is the pinion froze and just missed the flyweel and scored the teeth off.... I am in canada and it gets pretty damn cold and I had the same prob Oh yeah the position of the battery is in a bad spot and there is a breeze from the bottom/side of the headlight/fender and it will freeze the battery SOLID.. i had that happen to me I had to purchase a unit called a battery blanket and it gets plugged into a 110v outlet and keeps the battery above freezing poit... I blew 3 batteries in 2 months last winter trying to boost a battery that was frozen solid... i replaced the battery and the starter and I never had another prob

Originally posted by Ran
well it might be beacuse the engine is old...:rolleyes:

yeah I have a 91 Tempest that has 363000+ on the od and its NEVER been pulled/replaced or rebuilt.. and it runs like the day it was purchased
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