Random starting problem Ford Explorer 2002

[lorenzetti]

I have a Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 2002 4.0 4WD 6cyl about 172,000 miles

It has developed the annoying habit of randomly not starting.

It does not do it all the time. It is not repeatable.

The symptoms. You get in the car and it starts.
Drive a short distance leave it for a time come back the car and the engine will crank but not start.
Sounds like it is flooded but it is not.
Eventually it does start. Might take 10-15 minutes or so.

Usuallly starts when I crank it...it sounds close to starting and I floor the gas pedal. It engine revs, starts and emits blue puff of smoke from the tailpipe. Then runs fine.

Brought to mechanic.
No codes.
We changed the fuel filter. No change.
We checked the fuel pump. It appears to be coming on.
We checked under the hood and checked the fuel pressure which looks good.
We hooked it up to the computer again after second no start at the shop and everything appears fine - no codes

Called Ford today and service manager suggested that perhaps it was the Upper intake gasket.

Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[lorenzetti]

Ford dealer says...are they right?

Ford service manager says he would guess upper air intake gasket is leaking.
I have also found out that I have a slightly leaking valve cover gasket.

Would either of these cause this random starting problem?

 

[GDawg]

Personally, I think the "upper intake gasket" is not even close... They just want your money. The blue puff of smoke worries me. That is oil being burnt. Which means you are getting "blow by" past your rings. Not good. The oil mixture is probably making it hard for the vehicle to fire. Once it starts it burns out that oil. But this will become a massive problem if that is what it is.

 

[lorenzetti]

I did just discovered a disconnected vacuum line on the Heater Control valve.
Think that might be the cause of the problem?
Worked fine today all day. Went into town turned the car on and off many times.
Added some fuel injector cleaner and filled the tank with gas in the middle of the trip as someone on this board though it might be a sticking fuel injector.
As for the smoke. Not sure if it was blue, think it was but I will be sure and notice next time. Oil level seems fine.

 

[lorenzetti]

Changed spark plugs, wires and IAC.
Started fine first 6 times then same problem.
Cranks, cranks then fires up/starts puff of smoke...wife says blue.
Then runs fine.

 

[GDawg]

Before the "blow-by" gets too bad, try one of these products.

http://barsproducts.com/catalog/brand/all/component/engine/blue-exhaust-smoke

The vacuum line was probably for the heater blend door.

 

[lorenzetti]

Does that stuff really work? And which one?
My friend and mechanic - shop across the street does not think it is the rings or valve stem seals. He says I would see more blue smoke when driving.
It started fine after I replaced the IAC. Then wouldn't turn over.
Looking at
coolant temp senor- next to replace
Mass Air Flow Sensor
oil and fuel pressure sensors
Thanks Daniel

 

[GDawg]

Does that stuff really work? And which one?
My friend and mechanic - shop across the street does not think it is the rings or valve stem seals. He says I would see more blue smoke when driving.
It started fine after I replaced the IAC. Then wouldn't turn over.
Looking at
coolant temp senor- next to replace
Mass Air Flow Sensor
oil and fuel pressure sensors
Thanks Daniel

Now you're throwing money at it for no good reason. Your mechanic isn't very good if blue smoke doesn't throw up a flag to him. Blow-by can start gradually. Hence the small amount at start up. A compression test would be in order to prove my suspicion. Blow by can ruin your entire engine.