starting problem

[hawkmoon]

when starting when cold the rpm's are normal until i put it in gear. then the rpm's drop so low that the engine either stalls or it sputters until i give it gas. sometimes before the engine turns over i get this woosh sound. once the engine warms up, no problem except gas mileage is very low, around 8 or 9 mpg. had it in to the dealer 2x and they can't find anything wrong and they could reproduce the problem. any one else have this proble or any ideas what it is? thanks.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Which engine??? How many miles on it?? I'd start with the Idle Air Control valve. You can either clean it or replace it. Search for IAC and you'll find lots of posts about it.

 

[hawkmoon]

engine is 4.0L SOHC, mileage is 7000. IAC was replaced last week. still have the problem. ford has no clue as to what is wrong. the car is less than 1 year old.

 

[Nate1]

Make sure your intake manifold isn't leaking. Also, check things like Oxygen sensors and spark plugs/wires.
I dont know what to tell you, but that is horrible mileage.

 

[travish_1]

I had this same problem last summer. When I started my car it would sputter violently. Sometimes it wouldn't even start. I brought it in many times and no one could figure it out. Finally I tried switching the AC relay switch and Fuel Pump relay switch around. My car started right up. It worked fine for about a month (after I bought a new relay switch), and then it started acting up again. My head gasket blew about a month ago and I had to get a new engine. The problem is gone but now I have another problem that may be related. When I come to a full stop and press the accelerator, the engine hesitates or even just kind of sputters. I'm so fricken ticked that I can't figure this out! Tell me if you find anything.

 

[Nate1]

I'm thinking fuel delivery problem.... but you ploder is so new it doesnt make sense.
Clogged or dirty injectors, fuel filter is somehow toats, malfunctioning relay or pump, the list goes on and on.

 

[liquidx9]

you may want to check your states lemon laws, you shouldnt have to deal with that crap in a 10 year old truck, much less a brand new one