1998 Honda Civic cold starting problems

[u/adventurebrah]

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for anyone who may take the time to read this. I am the owner of a 1998 honda civic coupe with a standard transmission. The car has been great for me overall, but a few winters ago it started having problems starting in the cold. Basically, after a cold night it simply won't start in the morning. The starter just cranks and cranks but no start, though sometimes it seems like it is just about to start but doesn't, and occasionally if the ambient temperature is just above freezing it will start but after cranking for a long time and barely getting there. I usually turn the key to on the position and let the fuel pump prime a few times just to make sure the pressure is building enough and it does make the sound to indicate that the fuel pump is working.

Once the car is started for the day it usually does fine for the rest of the day no matter how cold it gets. Also if I go out and start the car and let it idle for a bit just before bed and get up early and start it first thing, it can also be ok provided it wasn't extremely cold that night. I have gotten around this previously by leaving it in the garage, but that isn't a great option because my dad keeps his classic cars in the garage and there isn't a good place for them outside now that one of them has finally gotten back from a long stay in the workshop.

I have already replaced the engine coolant temperature sensor and also checked that it works by using the OBDII. I have also checked the head gasket with the autozone tester loan thing with the blue liquid and it indicated no exhaust in the coolant. Other than this problem, the engine has occasional misfires upon startup at all times of the year and the check engine light often remains on due to that, but that has been going on for at least 15,000 miles and seems not to be a huge deal. In the summer or in any temperature above 40 degrees the car starts up fine and works well. At the moment I have a run a light bulb on an extension chord under the hood to see if that can warm it up to see if that is a simple solution, but yeah I would really like to know what is going on and if anyone has any ideas about what could be happening.