takes many cranks to start

[moto_head90]

I have a '91 and has 160,000 miles. My problem is that when starting it, it cranks over for about 5 seconds before it starts up. My friends have told me to replace the fuel filter, and others told me to replace the fuel pump.

What do you guys think the problem could be...

 

[wolleybugger]

How old is your battery?

 

[Maniak]

The fuel filter shouldn't cause that.. In theory the fuel system is sealed.. meaning when you turn off the truck.. and then turn it on later you already have a full charge in the fuel rail (still have pressue)..

An example of this is on our truck.. Currently when the truck is parked I lose fuel pressue.. I can't tell if it is the back fuel injector o ring leaking or the return line from the fuel rail.. Either way.. if I start the truck by just turning the key.. it cranks for close to 5 seconds before it starts.. If I turn the key.. wait for the fuel pump to turn off, then do it again (this time actually start the truck) it starts on the 3rd revolution of the motor (just like it has always done)..

if it has a hard time starting (I mean once it starts it isn't running right.. maybe a little rough etc).. you may have a bad AIC. this is what is supposed to control the idle and the "no touch" start.. if it is bad the idle will be low and it won't always start right away..

But if it starts great.. just takes a little longer to start you may be losing fuel pressue.. Besides a bad o-ring or external leak, a bad injector can leak gas into the motor and relieve the pressue..

You can check if you still have pressure by putting a fuel pressure guage (0-100psi) on the fuel rail.. there is a schrader vavle on the passenger side of the intake manifold.. (looks like what you use to put air in your tire).. Plug the fuel pressue guage in.. start the truck.. and then turn it off and let it sit.. watch the fuel pressue.. it should stay up.. if it drops all the way down your losing pressue somewhere.. Also, when you try to start the truck, turn the key to "on" then check the fuel pressue.. there should be 40ish pounds in there.. if not.. the fuel pressure regulator might even be the problem.. (if it is always low)..

Hope that help a little..

~Mark

 

[wolleybugger]

work's for me!

 

[Longs]

That's exactly how my '93 behaved when I had a fuel leak at the top of the tank. When it lost pressure sitting, it would take 5 seconds or so to start...

 

[Byrd91]

My 1992 does the same thing. What causes the loss of pressure is a check valve that has gone bad in the fuel pump/sending unit. The problem is that you have to buy a whole new pump/sending unit and drop the gas tank to put it in. BAD Ford. I just live with letting it prime a couple of times before starting too.

 

[Brian1]

Originally posted by wolleybugger
How old is your battery?

I would guess this too. My battery was extremly weak and it would take a longer time to crank over and start than normal. I replaced my battery and it cranked over and started like it always did.

 

[asp84]

My 91 has a slow start too. Takes about 2-3 seconds. (It's slow to me...compared to my previous ranger, ehich started immediatley)

I need to check my battery. I hope I don't have to replace any fuel sending unit!

 

[roadkill]

try this?

moto_head90,

You might try this...

I have a '92 with 135,000 on it, and other than a new tranny, it's still pretty original.

As far as starting, I always turn the ignition key to "on", then let the fuel-pump pump up untill I hear it stop (maybe 3-4 seconds). THEN I turn the key to the crank position. Starts right up. If I try to start it by just turning the key directly to start, it will crank for a while without starting right away, or I will stop, and crank it again.

Not exactly sure why; maybe the fuel rail for the injectors needs to be at full pressure for it to start, and cranking it doesn't let it reach this pressure.

But this has worked for me since I got the truck 6 years ago.

Good luck!

 

[moto_head90]

thanx guys for all your help.
I tried the method of waiting before i turn the key all the way, and it helped.