Why does my car start up rough on cold days?

Question

It's a '92 Dodge Shadow. It never -doesn't- start up. However, during the winter, it typically has a hard time for the first 30 seconds or so. The car sounds like it's skipping a cylinder. Sometimes it won't start at first, and then I have to hold the ignition for 7-8 seconds before it starts up extremely roughly.

Why is this? A compression problem? I think its head gasket is leaking, but I'm not sure because the valve cover gasket is also leaking.

Again, after 30 seconds it runs fine.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yeah you may have to much of thick oil which is hard to move when its cold. I would get lower viscosity oil so its easier to start. It could be that your head gasket is starting to go bad too. If its loosing compression. I would say it might be the oil. There are NUMEROUS problematic though. I would take it to an auto shop to be sure what it is though.

Answer 2

It sounds like a Sensor problem the injectors are control ed by a multitude of sensors which feed the Computer info,If it starts and smooths out after a couple on minutes I would not worry about it,

PS how are your spark plugs?

Answer 3

check the coolant temp sensor. that tells the computer to put on the "high idle" circuit. it may not be working

Answer 4

Its cold---its just shivering.