What to do when a hot engine is hard to start

Although usually engines exposed to cold weather is the most known problem related to car starting difficulties, hot engines might bring obstacles as well. Many people realize that the car do not start as easily as it should when the engine is hot and do not know what to do about it. In order to be able to overcome this problem, it is important to start by learning why it happens.



Most of the reasons by which a hot engine would be hard to start are based on problems related to the fuel. When the engine is too hot, fuel can't circulate properly due to the way in which vapour obstructs it and therefore the engine wouldn't start as easily as it should or it wouldn't start at all.



A car engine would keep on gaining temperature until a while after it was shut off. During this period of time is when the highest amount of vapour would be circulating around and therefore that is when the chances it obstructs the engine are bigger as well. This way, if you are driving in hot weather and you have just turned off the car in which you experience start problems, you should wait for a few minutes until starting it back.



Fuel injected engines do not experience this problem as much as others do due to the fact that the fuel remains inside the injectors by being under a very high pressure. This way, fuel injected engines would not become so easily obtruded by vapors as other engines would and therefore the car would not have the same problems to start as another would.



Also, engines might become hard to start while being hot if it coincides with the season in which refiners change from a fuel blend to another. Sometimes gasoline refiners change from a higher volatility fuel to a lower one when summer approaches due to the way in which hot weather causes fuel to evaporate easier. If refiners change back to a higher volatility fuel while the engine is still exposed to days of high temperatures, this could cause the fuel to evaporate too much creating too much vapor and therefore obtruding the engine.

Your Quick And Easy Guide To Car Maintenance

Cars are like electric lights. We often don't appreciate them until they go on the blink. Regular maintenance checks and simple service can greatly reduce the cost of car ownership and keep you a much happier traveller!



Don't let the thought of car maintenance intimidate you. There are actually several car maintenance tips you can do – even if you're totally mechanically-challenged!



For instance, you'll want to keep your windshield washer fluid reservoir full. This involves screwing off the cap and pouring windshield wiper fluid in the right spot. You can quickly check the fluid levels when filling up at the gas station.



While you've got the windshield washer fluid out, pour some on a rag and clean the bug guts, etc. off the wiper blades.



If you see any colored fluid leaking from your car, get it serviced immediately.



If you smell any peculiar odour coming from your car, take it to the nearest service station. Odours mean something inappropriate is going on under the hood of your car!



Every fall, go ahead and replace your wiper blades. You need new ones once a year – might as well get them before winter sets in and you're wiping away that ice and sleet!



Be sure all your lights are clean and working, including brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. You can perform this quick check while filling up your gas tank.



Check your tires once a month – give a look over for cuts, bulges, or nails or other foreign objects sticking out.



Take your car to your friendly serviceman once a month and have the pressure in your tires checked. This service should cost you less than five bucks, if anything.



Every three months have your oil and oil filter changed. Many times an inspection is done during the oil change. It's worth it to pay a little extra if you have to and have this done. Ask to have your battery checked, too.



Have your air filter changed when it gets dirty. You can ask the folks who change your oil to check the air filter. They're happy to change it for you.



No matter how non-car savvy you may have felt in the past, finding that you can do some simple maintenance checks puts you in the driver's seat. You're likely to discover in advance if your car has a problem that should be taken care of immediately.