960 having some trouble starting

Hi

We have a 1993 960, it's been having some trouble starting up in the
morning. It's just had its last major service maybe a month and a half ago,
where they changed plugs, wires, serpentine belt, oil etc... Pretty big
service, but everything is basically new, and in good shape, engine wise.

It is having trouble catching spark after a period of a good 5-8 seconds
cranking, the car will then shake back and forth, like the engine is badly
out of balance, or it won't catch... On the second attempt the engine is
fine, and after its been warmed up, also fine.

I'm thinking weak battery, but my father things the timing is off - I then
reminded him that the engine would run poorly at all times if the timing was
off. No check engine light yet, we've seen these symptoms before tho, years
ago.... Can't remember is the battery went tho.

 

I have a similar problem. I have a 1996 850 wagon. In the last week the car
does not want to start when I first turn the ignition, but starts fine the
second time, and runs very well.
At this time of the year we have lots of tree sap, and I wash the car every
day, purring lots of water from the hose. I thought that maybe the moisture
is causing this. But lately few times I also let the fuel tank needle go
down all the way to reserve. Maybe the fuel filter got clogged and it takes
two bursts of fuel to start the engine. This second theory may be true.
Yesterday I filled the tank to full, and I put some injector cleaner. I also
tapped gently once on gas pedal before every start and the car started first
time with no problems all day. I will change the fuel filter in the next few
days, and wash the car again to see if the problem continues.