Problems starting with a cold engine...any ideas?

[FrancisZR]

Hi guys, hoping someone could shed some light on my problem for me.

Basically, in the morning or when the car has been sat for a few hours (after work etc) it really struggles to start (some days worse than others!?).

The only way I can get it started is by holding my foot right to the floor on the throttle and cranking it over, eventually it'll just about fire into life, and I have to give it some revs for a few secs to stop it stalling...then after that the idle etc is fine. I can also turn the engine straight off and restart it immediately with no problem at all...and like wise if the cars only left a little while it'll start. The longer I leave it the harder it seems to get going, sometimes it'll need a few turns on the starter and will go but only if it's not left too long.

Now, the rule out water in the cylinders I took the spark plugs out this morning and fired it up, no water came out, only a bit of petrol and air...so I don't think that's the problem. However I noticed the plugs are looking very lean...

When I put the plugs back in, it fired up instantly, quicker than ever...presumably because I'd thrown a load of fuel into the cylinders turning it over?

Now, I've tried unplugging the coolant temp sensor, to see if that's the fault, but still no better when trying to start it. I've also replaced the IAVC and reset it, but no difference. However for some reason it did seem to start a little easier with the IAVC unplugged today, but still took a while?!

I'm really at a loss, I can't afford to go replacing EVERYTHING 'till it's fixed. I have a friend with a ZR 160 too who I can swap sensors etc. over with, but where do I start and what can I test to rule things out?

Also no faults show up on the reader...

Cheers.

[Flintstone]

Fuel starvation? Is it priming properly?

[FrancisZR]

Yeah it sounds like it's priming fine anyway! It's bizzare...this morning I'm gonna try priming it a few times and see how fast it starts.