My 1992 Aerostar is becoming hard to start, and I smell gas.

[jlh3rd]

i have a 1992 aerostar...3.0, 259,000 miles.....recently, it has become hard to start after running ...it starts ok the first time.......you park.......go in the store,...... come back out... go to start it and you have to crank it longer before it catches......doesn't matter whether its wet, dry, hot or cold outside.....also, after starting, i smell gas....i don't see any dripping anywhere.....check engine light is not on......the only thing that come to mind would be the charcoal canister....any ideas?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here is a list of things to check:

1. ECT sensor.
2. Fuel pressure regulator.
3. Spark plugs.
4. Cables.
5. MAF sensor.

 

[jlh3rd]

thanks

my check engine light is not on....so, could the ect and maf still be bad ?....

i pulled the vacuum hose off the regulator, no gas noted...haven't check the vacuum yet

plugs and wires only have a few thousands miles on them....wires pass the spray bottle test

could the charcoal canister be a possibility ?

i should say my gas mileage has been decreasing...i did replace every vacuum hose i could find last year....manifold vacuum shows normal...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Clean the MAF sensor. The ECT sensor could be checked with an Ohmmeter. Which brand did you use when you replaced the spark plugs? Were they properly gapped?

 

[jlh3rd]

oh yeh...i always gap the plugs......i believe they were champion platinum..........can the map and ect have issues without setting the check engine light...?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Yes, the coolant sensor could be out of spec, and trick the PCM into thinking that it should supply a rich mixture when it doesn't have to be so rich. A dirty MAF sensor could cause similar issues such as a rough idle, and a hard start condition. The O2 sensor will pick up the fault, and trip the check engine light once it's way out of spec (along with a fault code).

 

[jlh3rd]

thanks.....

 

[jlh3rd]

well....i replaced the coolant sensor...cleaned the maf.......and of course...the problem is not fixed.......so.....any other thoughts.......i repeat, the van runs fine.....

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the fuel pressure first with the vacuum hose connected, then with the hose disconnected.

 

[FORDBOYpete]

Also make sure the VOC cannister under battery has all hoses & lines connected. It uses a soft moulded rubber 90" elbow that tends to deteriorate. This system when faulty will come up in an OBD-II scan as faulty Evap Cannister. But your 1992 will not have that in it's programming. Aside from recycling VOC Fumes, cannister system stabilizes internal fuel tank pressure & venting.

Fuel returning to fuel tank will build up PSI & produce what you describe if Ur Evap Cannister is not functioning correctly. Odor of Gasoline will be stronger where the line is faulty. IOW if it's stronger in front, check the Evap Canister, it stronger in the rear, check tank, which is not easy as the lines are on top of the tank & you can not get at them without dropping your tank. If you must drop the tank to diagnose or effect a repair, it's best done as empty as U can get it without running it dry. Good luck

CIAO

 

[jlh3rd]

ford

thanks....i was wondering if that could be a factor....i mentioned that earlier.....i replaced that elbow a few years ago.....i think i'll just get a new one.....

 

[jlh3rd]

well.........i replaced the charcoal canister.......no fix...........

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the fuel pressure as previously suggested?

 

[jlh3rd]

no not yet......i don't have that type of a pressure gauge....( if you remember me, i haven't bled all 4 brake lines at the same time either with my brake problem yet) ...but if the pressure is too low, is it my regulator ?...i replaced that a few years ago because of an issue and it wasn't the problem, so i wasted that time and money..........i do appreciate all responses....
if the van was running bad, i'd have more to go on.....this van does have 259,000 + miles on it.....

 

[BrooklynBay]

It might have a bad regulator or a clogged fuel filter.

 

[jlh3rd]

do you mean regulator as in alternator ?.......and i do regular maintenance so i change the filter regularly.....but if the filter was clogged, i would see acceleration problems and running problems...i've had dirty filters before and that's what happens...the van runs fine under load and acceleration.....

it's the smelling of gas that has me scratching my head......

 

[BrooklynBay]

I was referring to the fuel pressure regulator.

 

[jlh3rd]

ok.......

 

[jlh3rd]

new info

ok......somehow, it appears the van is flooding , after running then shutting it off....because, if i hold the gas pedal down before cranking, it starts quicker........so anyone, any ideas....

 

[BrooklynBay]

When you said that you replaced the coolant sensor, are you sure that it was the ECT sensor, and not the temperature sender for the gauge?