I am having problems with my girlfriends 04 2.0L
A few months ago we noticed the blue coolant temp light was coming on more
Often, we live in Australia and it's summer so even in winter it is not cold.
Lately we have trouble starting it at first I thought fuel pump, checked it was getting fuel fine.
As I used to be a mechanic, now in railway electrical I don't have scan tools at to assist.
So the at will crank for around 5 seconds atleast 4 or 5 times, I haven't been constantly holding the starter on as I haven't wanted to flatten the battery but all up after around 30 seconds it will start, a bit of smoke, will have low idle and labor a bit while still stationary and not allowing me to bring the revs up with my foot on the accelerater.
After another 15 - 20 seconds it normalizes and we don't have a problem for a few days.
Have ruled out bad fuel and what not as we run premium and true from different gas stations with no change in result.
I have read a little about the coolant temp sensors causing this or the cold start sensor.
Would this model being 04 and petrol have a cold start system. Or is that just for diesal.
Any help would be great.

A few months ago we noticed the blue coolant temp light was coming on more
Often, we live in Australia and it's summer so even in winter it is not cold.
Lately we have trouble starting it at first I thought fuel pump, checked it was getting fuel fine.
As I used to be a mechanic, now in railway electrical I don't have scan tools at to assist.
So the at will crank for around 5 seconds atleast 4 or 5 times, I haven't been constantly holding the starter on as I haven't wanted to flatten the battery but all up after around 30 seconds it will start, a bit of smoke, will have low idle and labor a bit while still stationary and not allowing me to bring the revs up with my foot on the accelerater.
After another 15 - 20 seconds it normalizes and we don't have a problem for a few days.
Have ruled out bad fuel and what not as we run premium and true from different gas stations with no change in result.
I have read a little about the coolant temp sensors causing this or the cold start sensor.
Would this model being 04 and petrol have a cold start system. Or is that just for diesal.
Any help would be great.