The past few mornings have been pretty chili in Toronto. I've noticed that on first cold start my car sputters. Almost like it wants to shut off. It only lasts about 3 seconds and then everything is fine. Idle fine. Driving fine. Power is there. No loss. But this morning was different. Ita actually shut off this time. The second start up was fine. Idle, driving and power are all good. No CEL. So today I pulled my plugs and they all look good. I just hit 30,000km. When its warm outside and the car has been siting even 24hrs, it will not do this. Only when its cold out. What could cause this?

 

maybe a block heater? could just be too cold, but im up in edmonton now and it hits 2*C in the mornings and i dont have a problem, still have no block heater nor do i plan on getting one.

But i dont know last year i ran my car after buying it up in barrie for the whole winter and didnt have a problem.

 

Block heaters are typically utilized for -18C and below.
Something as simple as your hahn intake can cause this.

 

I have the K&N SRI now. That never happened with the Hahn.

 

I heard that this issue was caused by oil starvation of the cam phasers. Makes sense because when it is that cold, the oil's viscosity is significantly lower. It used to happen to me on cold starts but ever since I turned cat-warm up mode off I havent had an issue

 

I have the same issue since last spring, i seen a couple of members here with the same issue.
The cam phaser thing sound logic, will probably get the car to the dealer soon and see if they can find something.

 

My car does this too most of the time. It's quite annoying.

 

I just bought some and I'm going to run AMS oil 0W-30 this winter. It has the same operating temperature as 5w-30 but it's supposed to be better for cold starts in the winter. I normally have the same problem and when winter starts i'll see if this helps the issue at all.

 

Plugs?

I know superchips can make plugs go bad after a short while. Not sure though, just a thought.

 

Try pulling the plug on your evap purge solenoid. I unplugged mine and it stopped sputtering on cool mornings so I just leave it unplugged. Throws a cel but I can disable it later.

 

Check your low side fuel pressure. I had this same problem and it was my low pressure fuel pump

 

LNF Timing Tables with Idle Help - HP Tuners Bulletin Board

 

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll try those out this weekend. Also this problem isnt very consistent. It could do it today like it did this morning and just sputter hard for a second or two and then fine. Temp 11*C. Then now when I leave work at 11pm and 8*C it does not do it. It was colder tonight and no sputter.

 

in for results, mines doint it to the last couple mornings...heres a vid of mine, i think mines the catless tho

grandamGT1's Channel - YouTube

 

i also have a vid of this uploading now...

 

Cobalt SS/TC cold start with a couple revs - YouTube

 

Wow, I forgot how loud our cars are without cat warm delete mode. I've been on that for almost a year now.

 

Bump my car is doing the same... So it's the camshaft actuator solenoids?

 

My 2.2 does this but runs lean so i think i need more fuel on start up/open loop