2002 Sport, Intermintent no start when hot, cranks, no gas smell

[93nav]

2002 Sport, Intermintent no start when hot, cranks, no gas smell - UPDATED/Fix$$

2007-09-01

I have a 2002 Sport, 102k miles, stock

Twice in the last week it has not started after going someplace and then after 1 to 10 minutes, try starting, and it just cranks. No smell. I did not notice if the fuel pump hummed at these times or not. Took it to a service station (non-dealer) after the first time, and there were no codes and he could not see anything obvious. Firt time the tank was about 1/8 full, second over 1/2 full. Explorer was fully warmed up when both of these occured. Other times between these two incidents, started and ran fine. Both times when it would not restart, wait 45 minutes, 1 hour, and starts fine. When won't restart, first time to try, it kind of pops a LITTLE, and then after that just cranks.

- I purchased at 59k, I have not replaced fuel filter since purchase, so I do not know when the fuel filter was last replaced.
- Plenty of power
- Good gas mileage, 23.9 and 22.5 within last month when driving in rural areas (like an old lady)
- I tend to not put gas in until 1/8 on the gage, usually 14 +/- gals on a 16.8 gal tank.
- Plugs and wires are original (I assume)
- I use regular gas from name brand stations
- I have never added any 'additives' to the gas
-General question for mechanics, why don't you talk to the customer, owner before starting to work on things? An old proverb: "A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved".


Dealer says they need to replace a checkvalve and a pulse damper in the fuel system. They are both leaking, at least one into the intake manifold, or so says the lady who called me. One or the other is supposed to be integral will the fuel pump. Then need to drop the tank and want $1279 +/- for the whole deal (OUCH!!!!!). I asked about needing to change the oil, is leaking into the intake manifold, not needed/specified I was told.

- What is a pulse damper and where is it at?
- If something was leaking, why did I not smell gas?

Any help or comments/clarifications would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lloyd10977]

I had a problem very similar to your as the warm engine/no gas smell was the key. My problem was a faulty fuel pump relay. It lives in the power block in the engine compartment. As a test, the next time it happens, open that box and swap that relay with another one, then start up. Once you are running, buy a new relay asap and replace it.

 

[93nav]

2007-09-10

Update. I had the dealership do the repair (I am a software guy, not a "hardware" guy), and have had no problem since, over one week and probably about 400 miles.

The two parts that were replaced are:

Sender and Pump - Part #3l2z-9h307-fc $300
Fuel Damper - Part #1l2z-9f775-AA $175
They stated that the reason they replaced the Fuel Damper, was because it was leaking vapors into some vacum hose (??).

They also replaced the fuel filter, which was due/past due anyway.

On my Sport, the fuel damper is on the fuel rail (I believe). I did read one reference to a Ford Escort, and then it was part of the fuel pump assembly.

In reply to my own question above, what is a "Fuel Damper". Near as I can tell, it is used in fuel injection engines to dampen out any pulses in the fuel supply from the pump. Searching the net, I could not find any references to the fuel damper related to an Explorere, but I did find them in references to other cars, especially Chevys. Lots of other references also, just not Ford.

Also in reading on the internet, several people fixed their problems by tightening clamps and replacing hoses, much much CHEAPER. So double check the obvious before going and replacing the expensive.

Hope this helps some one else.

93nav