oxygenated fuel causing start failure in hot weather

[cgar]

My 94 Explorer XLT occasionally fails to start--cranks okay but just can't start up. This occurs on hot days, when I've driven then parked for 10-15 min. When I try to start it, it won't. Then in about 15 min., it's okay and off I go til the next time. After the dealer had it for two days, finding nothing, one service technician told me they'd seen problems like this with some Econoline vans. In the fall, hot days, they'd be towed in; by evening, they'd be just fine. They decided it was the oxygenated fuel and hot weather combo. Anybody else know anything about this? How common is the problem? AND is there any way to fix it until the formulation changes in May?

 

[A Wise Guy]

I get a similar problem on my Honda Goldwing. Dealer also blames the fuel and it makes sence because it doesn't happen when it is cool out. Hot days, hot bike, quick stop at the quickie mart or for a tank of gas, fuel in float bowls boils over and mildly floods the carbs... Not a happy start when the button is pressed.

 

[Opera House]

Did they put a gauge on the fuel rail?

It should be able to hold pressure for at least 30 minutes. As some of these fuel pressure regulators age, they begin to leak fuel back to the tank. Solution is new regulator. Some wanting to be cheap have wired a push button to jumper the fuel relay. Pump normally runs only 2-3 seconds till engine starts. Manually keeping pump on eliminates leakdown concerns.