Originally Posted by rgnprof

I can live with the pinging and knocking - it's the getting it started in the morning that's the real problem. Once I get it started, I generally don't have any more problems the rest of the day.

Went out this morning and tried to get it going and I finally wore the battery down. Had a friend give me a jump and the car started right up on the second try. Checked the alternator and it is only putting out 13.7 volts +/-...

I am wondering if at this altitude - which clearly strains my car - if I have a slightly less than optimal charging system that that could be part of the problem? Maybe an alternator belt that is a little loose and not charging the system optimally (I guess 14.5 volts, +/-), or a slightly weak battery would be exacerbating my problems?

ryan