annoying intermittant cold start problem

[peanut]

put your thinking caps on fellas I need your help .I'm really missing my baby
I need a think tank with this problem.

HISTORY
My S2 hasn't started since September /Oct last year.Prior to that it was used regulary started instantly every time ran like a train and never once coughed spluttered or gave a single problem
Due to infrequent use in July August last year the last 2-3 times it was used it was very hard to start. It would take 3-4 minutes of continual cranking before it would fire on 2x cylinders then 3x and finally 4x cyclinders. I had to crank the engine with the starter all the time it was firing on 2-3 cylinders to keep it firing.
Finally it would have a bit of a cough and then run perfectly unless I left her for a couple of weeks then it would be the same problem starting again.

CHECKS
Battery is new and kept topped up
Earth straps are all new throughout the car
Plugs are new
Engine spins over really really fast like a dog shaking a bone
Spark at plugs
Fuel at injectors and in bores.
12v+ pulse at injectors

 

[JamesO]

Coolant temperature sensor maybe? Intake air temperature sensor?
If it helps I just measured the water sensor in the engine on the stand at 10 degrees'ish celsius and the one at the water pump end is 3.8 Kohms across the two pins.

 

[peanut]

thanks James.
the engine temperature sensor might have an effect on idle and smooth running but wouldn't stop the engine from firing .If it was the sensor I would expect it to cause erratic tickover and running once the car started but that doesn't happen. The car runs perfectly once it eventually starts.[] I am pretty certain that this is a fuel related issue .