1994 exlorer starting delay, strong gas odor, need help!

[ehauck98]

Hi everyone, this is a very helpful site. I just spent the last hour reading posts. But now I have questions..... Recently purchased my explorer and now it is struggling starting. A very long hesitation/delay before firing, mechanic replaced 1 of 2 sensors by the front spark plug today, was not cheap and did nothing to fix the problem. After running for awhile (short stops, running errands) it's fine. Sitting for more than a hour or two, has starting problems. Also noticed a very strong gasoline odor inside cab and surrounding outside, no apparent leaks. Any suggestions or fixes would be great!

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[Maniak]

I'm voting for a Bad FPR, as in, the diaphram is ruptured and fuel is being sucked up the vacuum line. Another posibility is a leaking injector where the residual fuel pressure that is in the line (as it should be) is being leaked into a cylinder when its parked. After you let it sit parked for say 30 minutes, pull the plugs and see if any are wet...

Another posiblity is the Evap canister is full of fuel. If it is, it could be sucking raw fuel into the TB...

Those are my first few swags..

~Mark

 

[GuardianSport]

Pull the vacuum hose and smell for gas, could be a head gasket?