Longer and Longer Start times

[SPAZ]

For the past few weeks my '09 S3 is taking longer and longer to start. At first it would be a couple of seconds but now it could take up to 10 seconds or longer on the first start up of the day. I'm not mechanical in any sort of way so I am at a loss.

Basic thinking leads me to believe it's a fuel issus as I have to twist the throttle before it fires up. Subsequent restarts are no problems. It only happens when it's starting after a night or a day at work.

Could it be a fuel pressure issue? Should I just take it to the dealer?Your thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks

[Bohdan]

If you're cranking it for 10sec continuously, then you're seriously (and unnecessary) draining the battery. Crank it up for 2-3 sec, if it doesn't fire - release the button, wait few seconds and repeat. Engine should fire up on second try.
Mine was doing it from new, then it got better, then sporadically. I have noticed it is tied to the state of battery charge and that fixed it. Put your bike overnight on battery tender for few days; with your repeated attempts over last days it must be significantly down (hence the increasing length of it...).
As a side note - if you are commuting daily with fairly short ride, then riding bike is not enough to restore charge depleted by cranking cold bike. Connecting to tender periodically is a must.

[SPAZ]

Originally Posted by Bohdan

If you're cranking it for 10sec continuously, then you're seriously (and unnecessary) draining the battery. Crank it up for 2-3 sec, if it doesn't fire - release the button, wait few seconds and repeat. Engine should fire up on second try.
Mine was doing it from new, then it got better, then sporadically. I have noticed it is tied to the state of battery charge and that fixed it. Put your bike overnight on battery tender for few days; with your repeated attempts over last days it must be significantly down (hence the increasing length of it...).
As a side note - if you are commuting daily with fairly short ride, then riding bike is not enough to restore charge depleted by cranking cold bike. Connecting to tender periodically is a must.

Thanks Bohdan. I'll give that a try. My commute is about 25 miles with some stop and go. Thanks again!

[Aussie-Triple]

My 09 5 month old bike has always been like this, crank it for 2-3 seconds then when you crank it again it fires up everytime first go.

[Mini4x]

I thought they improved this my 06 does the same thing..

If i crank it for 2-3 sec, it flat out will not start, ever, even if I do it a couple times. EVER, well when it's cold. Once it's warmed up it'll fire up just barely looking at the starter button.

[SPAZ]

Originally Posted by Mini4x

I thought they improved this my 06 does the same thing..

If i crank it for 2-3 sec, it flat out will not start, ever, even if I do it a couple times. EVER, well when it's cold. Once it's warmed up it'll fire up just barely looking at the starter button.

Yep, that's what it is doing. Put it on the battery tender all night. Went out this morning and same thing. 1st time, no start after about 3 seconds. The 2nd time it started up after about 2 seconds.

So I don't think it's a battery issue and would lean towards fuel pressure. Because once it's started I can start it right up everytime afterwards. But if it sits for awhile it takes a few cranks. But what do I know. I'm the least bit mechanical.

[Anomoly]

My S3 is the same. Sometimes it will not start on the first attempt. But always goes on the second try. Just a piece of advice though....its imperative that you keep your battery topped-up as suggested because a weak battery may lead to the destruction of your sprag-clutch. I have just had to replace my sprag-clutch and it aint cheap.

[03Speed3]

My buddy's GSX-R1000 starts when he thinks he wants it to start. Instantly. My triple always cranks for a second or two, even after being on the tender for a couple days.

Don't worry, though, it's the nature of the beast. Just like GMC vs. Toyota. I've owned both trucks. The GMC starts instantaneously, the Toyota cranked for a while.

[docschops]

I have the same long cranking problem with my 06, it seemed to start with the install of a leo vince exhaust and the TORS download. The bike runs great, but whenever I start it cold it cranks for about 7-10 seconds, sometimes it will stop cranking and I have to start over. Yesterday I tried something new, I stuffed a paper towel in each tail pipe, the bike popped off in a couple of seconds this time, I have started it cold several times now doing this and it fires right off every time so far. Lack of backpressure has to have something to do with this problem.

[wabill]

It's call "Character" and all great bikes have it in some way shape or form.
Our Speed3s like a short crank, let up and hit it again a second later and should start right up. As sooo many before me have said, "It's been that way since new:"