question on cold morning starting

sonic370 · 12-07-2010, 09:01 PM

so it's getting a little chili down here in texas and i've started to notice
when first starting the car it revs to about 1800 to 2000 rpms which i think is pretty normal for about 25 to 30 seconds. but i've started to notice a slight smell of gas fumes. it doesn't last long,just wondering if anyone else has noticed this??

kenchan · 12-07-2010, 10:00 PM

Combustion engine maybe?

VaGntlmn · 12-07-2010, 10:05 PM

axeman71 · 12-07-2010, 10:12 PM

I believe the catalytic converters need to be hot before they start working so you smell more from the exhaust when you first crank the car. Also, the ECU may run the car a little rich when it is cold.

TreeSemdyZee · 12-07-2010, 10:39 PM

You're gonna die. Get your affairs in order.

ProfessorDave · 12-07-2010, 11:13 PM

Poor sonic! You guys are BRUTAL! Cold engines call for richer gas, and the ECU will raise the idle (think old style manual chokes on carbs...you would intentionally decrease the air getting to the engine to allow it to start and run cold). I say don't worry (and don't smoke during the first 15 minutes of the drive!)

Trips · 12-07-2010, 11:17 PM

Warm it up with the garage door closed!

j/k

SmoothZ · 12-07-2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Combustion engine maybe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

You're gonna die. Get your affairs in order.

You guys crack me up.

Pharmacist · 12-08-2010, 08:29 AM

Thats normal and happens in a lot of cars

sig11 · 12-08-2010, 08:46 AM

Try driving it in ~20F. Everything creaks and pops and it's difficult to shift for the first few miles.

turbodog · 12-08-2010, 08:55 AM

You talking gas fumes, or exhaust fumes?

ImportConvert · 12-08-2010, 09:20 AM

Exhaust components can contract, causing header/manifold and other leaks (slight) until warmed/expanded.

Also, as stated, catalytic converters need time to heat up to burn off fumes properly.

Again, as previously stated, engines need a richer A/F when cold to idle properly. This leads to more fumes.

This is not harmful to anything but your sinuses unless you do this in a closed garage/something else stupid, etc. You can smoke, whatever you want.

ClemsonWill · 12-08-2010, 10:29 AM

It's normal. If you don't like it I recommend you don't stand behind your car.

12-07-2010, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
sonic370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orange Texas Posts: 1,574 Drives: 09 370Z Sports PGK Rep Power: 18	question on cold morning starting so it's getting a little chili down here in texas and i've started to notice when first starting the car it revs to about 1800 to 2000 rpms which i think is pretty normal for about 25 to 30 seconds. but i've started to notice a slight smell of gas fumes. it doesn't last long,just wondering if anyone else has noticed this??

12-07-2010, 10:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
VaGntlmn Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Centreville, Va Age: 63 Posts: 378 Drives: '10 Tour/Sport, 6MT Rep Power: 15	__________________ Bill 2010 370z; Tour/Sport; 6mt; BlackCherry/Grey; 318 rwhp; 265 lbs rwtq. To view a list of my mods, click here; To view a photo journal of the mods, click here.

12-07-2010, 10:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
axeman71 Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 129 Drives: '10 Conv A7 Blk Chry Rep Power: 15	I believe the catalytic converters need to be hot before they start working so you smell more from the exhaust when you first crank the car. Also, the ECU may run the car a little rich when it is cold. __________________ 2010 Roadster, 7AT, Black Cherry, Touring, Navigation, Lighted Kick Plates, Floor and Trunk Mats.

12-07-2010, 11:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
ProfessorDave A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 1,580 Drives: In the fairway Rep Power: 19	Poor sonic! You guys are BRUTAL! Cold engines call for richer gas, and the ECU will raise the idle (think old style manual chokes on carbs...you would intentionally decrease the air getting to the engine to allow it to start and run cold). I say don't worry (and don't smoke during the first 15 minutes of the drive!) __________________ Rain, snow, sleet, hail: 2009 Mazda 3 sGT HB Everything else: 2009 370z, PW Touring 6MT

12-07-2010, 11:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Warm it up with the garage door closed! j/k __________________

12-07-2010, 10:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Combustion engine maybe?

12-07-2010, 10:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	You're gonna die. Get your affairs in order.

12-08-2010, 08:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 18	Thats normal and happens in a lot of cars __________________ 2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

12-08-2010, 08:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	Try driving it in ~20F. Everything creaks and pops and it's difficult to shift for the first few miles.

12-08-2010, 08:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
turbodog Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 129 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 15	You talking gas fumes, or exhaust fumes?

12-08-2010, 09:20 AM	#12 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7627	Exhaust components can contract, causing header/manifold and other leaks (slight) until warmed/expanded. Also, as stated, catalytic converters need time to heat up to burn off fumes properly. Again, as previously stated, engines need a richer A/F when cold to idle properly. This leads to more fumes. This is not harmful to anything but your sinuses unless you do this in a closed garage/something else stupid, etc. You can smoke, whatever you want.

12-08-2010, 10:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
ClemsonWill A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 12,045 Drives: a Civic VP! Rep Power: 445	It's normal. If you don't like it I recommend you don't stand behind your car. __________________ Slightly modded

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