98 V6 SOHC XLT Hard to Start after sitting

[zonianbrat]

Hi all,

I did a search but couldnt find my exact problem. I work in the oil field doing wellsite geology/mud logging. I drive to location and the truck usually sits for periods as short as a few days or a couple of weeks depending on the job. Seems like after it sits for more than like 3 days it is kinda hard to start. It turns over fine but will not quite fire until maybe like 3-5 seconds of cranking. Then when it catches it runs rough for like 3 seconds then the rpm's catch up and she is good to go. When it's driven every day it cranks up on first crank no problems whatsoever. It only does this when the truck has been sitting for more than 3 days. I just bought the truck like a month and a half ago so I havent done alot of maintenance on it yet. The truck has lived it's life in Colorado and I beleive the previous owner had all the maintenance done at the dealership since it has all motorcraft stuff on it including a Ford Battery. I'm kinda thinking fuel filter? I'll have to do some more searching and find out how hard it is to replace it. The truck has 100,500 miles on it. Would it make any difference that i am currently working down in Texas? I live in Colorado but had to travel down here to work and have been here since i bought the truck. Any information is appreciated.

 

[James909]

I am thinking that the check ball in the fuel pump is leaking. It is designed to keep the fuel from draining back into the tank after the fuel pump stops running. If it is leaking and the gas is draining back into the tank after the truck sits for a while when you go to start it the truck has to crank longer then usual in order to build up fuel pressure. The next time that the truck sits for 3 days or longer before you try to start it cycle the key from the off to the run position (not start) a few times. This will build fuel pressure, so if it then starts normally, this check ball is most likely your problem.

 

[aldive]

Have you checked the fuel pressure?

 

[zonianbrat]

I have not checked fuel pressure mainly due to working out here and really not knowing how. I have almost no tools except for what i keep in the truck which is basic screwdrivers, pliers, duct tape, electrical tape, and a crafstamn 140pc socket set. Is ther an easy way to check pressure? I will do the test for the ball in the fuel pump as mentioned above. I may have overexagerated how long it takes to actually crank up. I did not realize until I made a gesture of starting with my hand and counted out 3-5 seconds. It's just takes longer than usual (usual being almost instantly) and when it fires it has like 2-3 seconds of running rough with low rpm's. LIke 400 till it catches up to around 900 for warm up. Thanks for the replies keep them coming!!

 

[trevell407]

I've had the same problem for over a year now, I just cycle the key 3 times before I start it and it works fine.

 

[zonianbrat]

I'm going to give it a try. Unfortunately I drove it today. It sat for 2 days and started up perfectly. But I am on another job so we will see.

 

[Lizard]

I'm in the process of repairing this. I have similar symptoms, but mine is hard to start after sitting for 1/2 hour. I checked the fuel pressure which was fine, but after turning off vehicle the pressure went from 65 to 0 in about 20 seconds. Thinking "check valve" I pulled the tank and think I found the problem. Ford uses those cheesy single-use hose clamps on the two small sections of fuel hoses on the pump. "Pinch clamps" I think they're called? Anyhow, I sprayed some soapy water on the clamp connections then blew some compressed air into the fuel pump outlet fitting. Lo and behold the top hose was leaking like a **** around those clamps. So I just replaced the two small sections of fuel hose and used some good injection band clamps. Incidentally, I didn't know this, but you have to use special fuel hose designed to be submersible in fuel, when replacing those fuel pump sections. 30R10 rating. Hope this will also cure the pinging under load that I have!

 

[zonianbrat]

Please keep me updated if this fixes your problem. Thanks again

 

[CDW6212R]

I'm in the process of repairing this. I have similar symptoms, but mine is hard to start after sitting for 1/2 hour. I checked the fuel pressure which was fine, but after turning off vehicle the pressure went from 65 to 0 in about 20 seconds. Thinking "check valve" I pulled the tank and think I found the problem. Ford uses those cheesy single-use hose clamps on the two small sections of fuel hoses on the pump. "Pinch clamps" I think they're called? Anyhow, I sprayed some soapy water on the clamp connections then blew some compressed air into the fuel pump outlet fitting. Lo and behold the top hose was leaking like a **** around those clamps. So I just replaced the two small sections of fuel hose and used some good injection band clamps. Incidentally, I didn't know this, but you have to use special fuel hose designed to be submersible in fuel, when replacing those fuel pump sections. 30R10 rating. Hope this will also cure the pinging under load that I have!

Ditto, I had a P0171 code that turned out to be low pressure. Swapping
the whole tank assembly fixed the problem, mine was likely the hoses also.

 

[Lizard]

I'll update this when I get the tank back in. Had to replace a fuel line that I had broken off the fitting at the pump. Just recieved it today.

 

[Cobraguy]

Losing fuel pressure over 3 days is not a problem in my opinion. But taking that much cranking and running to get it back up does indicate some sort of problem. As was suggested, turn the key to "on" (not start) for about 2 seconds at a time for 3 or 4 times and it should start much better for you. To find this problem, you need to find out where it's losing it's pressure. The tank unit, leaking fuel injectors, or someplace in between. It can be a lot of work.