Continue to have starting problems with the beast. It doesnot start first thing in the morning. Outside temp is in the 40s. often damp with dew. later in the day the car starts with a little pursuasion. To get it to start, i have to crank a lot, and keep the pedal to the metal. Once it starts, it runs fine. Later starts are normal, a few turns and vrooom. This problem was happening in the summer also, and seemed to be more likely to happen with a heavy dew or overnight rain.

After last post, I checked plugs (used, but gap ok, normal color, no abnormalities) service station replaced air mass control. When starting, I hear (the fuel pump?) run for a second and after a failed attempt to start, the same motor runs for a second before stopping. Air filter is new, timing belt recently replaced (10,000 miles ago).

Car runs smoothly once started, and in town and hiway usage runs fine. I am hoping to use the car as a winter beater in Minnesota. It needs to start in the morning to meet this need.