Honda engine air filters are oiled. When you use the Honda air filter in a dusty desert environment, you get a good filter that clogs easily and does a great job. You also get an engine that can't breathe properly and is starving for air which causes the engine to crank longer before it starts.
Change the air filter every 6 months or use a non oiled air filter and the problem goes away.
Update from Jun 5, 2019: Problem continued over the last 3 years of ownership and resulted in a defective battery.
Update from Feb 17, 2020: UPDATE: I have been using SN Plus rated oil during oil change intervals @ 5,000 miles each approx (and changing the oil filter); I have been changing the engine air filter every 6 months (dusty climate); I have been using Chevron Complete Fuel System Cleaner at each oil change interval; and I have been using either Chevron or Shell 89 Octane gasoline (Top Tier) at each fill up. The long engine cranks in the morning, occasional engine shutting off after starting, and one occasion where the vehicle stalled backing out of the driveway problem has not returned since the above maintenance practices have been followed. The vehicle's battery was also changed.
*INTERESTING NOTE: Seems like, could be coincidence that every time I fill up at the local Chevron station near my home, the car responds with long cranks after sitting overnight, will sometimes shut off immediately after it was started (when cold). This particular Chevron gas station is in a remote area and kind of the last stop for gas for around 50 miles to the next town. People in my area avoid this Chevron gas station in my community because it is very expensive. Possibly could be poor fuel quality from gasoline sitting in these storage tanks not getting emptied (collecting moisture) , gas that doesn't move potentially gets sticky from up to 10% ethanol additive. The underground tanks get topped off once in a while unlike other near by Top Tier gas stations that get frequently topped off with fresh fuel and high volume sales. 87 octane is less refined and only stable for up to 3 months in storage where 91 octane is a more stable chemistry and has a much longer storage life for up to 9 months. Choosing 89 octane at the pump pulls from both 87 and 91 fuel tanks underground and mixes at the pump. In theory you get at least 50% of a higher quality, 50% more stable fuel that is more resistant to gumming up from ethanol effects. The higher quality additives, and refining in the 91 octane should help prevent negative fuel quality effects on the vehicles fuel system to include the fuel filter which is at risk of poor fuel quality (particulates sticking to the filter and blocking flow). Adding the fuel system cleaner also helps to remove these sulfur particulates clogging the fuel filter putting strain on the fuel pump. Choosing a high volume top tier gas station with 89 octane seems to be the solution.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Honda engine air filters are oiled. When you use the Honda air filter in a dusty desert environment, you get a good filter that clogs easily and does a great job. You also get an engine that can't breathe properly and is starving for air which causes the engine to crank longer before it starts.
Change the air filter every 6 months or use a non oiled air filter and the problem goes away.
Update from Jun 5, 2019: Problem continued over the last 3 years of ownership and resulted in a defective battery.
Update from Feb 17, 2020: UPDATE: I have been using SN Plus rated oil during oil change intervals @ 5,000 miles each approx (and changing the oil filter); I have been changing the engine air filter every 6 months (dusty climate); I have been using Chevron Complete Fuel System Cleaner at each oil change interval; and I have been using either Chevron or Shell 89 Octane gasoline (Top Tier) at each fill up. The long engine cranks in the morning, occasional engine shutting off after starting, and one occasion where the vehicle stalled backing out of the driveway problem has not returned since the above maintenance practices have been followed. The vehicle's battery was also changed.
*INTERESTING NOTE: Seems like, could be coincidence that every time I fill up at the local Chevron station near my home, the car responds with long cranks after sitting overnight, will sometimes shut off immediately after it was started (when cold). This particular Chevron gas station is in a remote area and kind of the last stop for gas for around 50 miles to the next town. People in my area avoid this Chevron gas station in my community because it is very expensive. Possibly could be poor fuel quality from gasoline sitting in these storage tanks not getting emptied (collecting moisture) , gas that doesn't move potentially gets sticky from up to 10% ethanol additive. The underground tanks get topped off once in a while unlike other near by Top Tier gas stations that get frequently topped off with fresh fuel and high volume sales. 87 octane is less refined and only stable for up to 3 months in storage where 91 octane is a more stable chemistry and has a much longer storage life for up to 9 months. Choosing 89 octane at the pump pulls from both 87 and 91 fuel tanks underground and mixes at the pump. In theory you get at least 50% of a higher quality, 50% more stable fuel that is more resistant to gumming up from ethanol effects. The higher quality additives, and refining in the 91 octane should help prevent negative fuel quality effects on the vehicles fuel system to include the fuel filter which is at risk of poor fuel quality (particulates sticking to the filter and blocking flow). Adding the fuel system cleaner also helps to remove these sulfur particulates clogging the fuel filter putting strain on the fuel pump. Choosing a high volume top tier gas station with 89 octane seems to be the solution.
- monty4169rm, Phoenix, AZ, US