The X is hard to start

[lrwjr1964]

Hi everyone. I am hoping to maybe get some help here. I look on here but I don't see anyone that has quite my problem, so here it is. I have a 2002 XLT. Well she was due to get inspected by the 31st of August. She was running OK, no problems starting. Well last week I said let me get the fuel filter replaced and the spark plugs and wire changed. Well after I got everything done she started right up and I drove off. 20 miles down the road I noticed it was running rough. I was like what is wrong? I though maybe I needed to clean my MAF and IAC. Well I did that and now the X wants to shut off when I hit the gas. OK I take it back and say something is wrong. They check the spark plugs and one had broken. They order a replacement and everything is cool. The next morning I go to start the ex and it cranks but does not start. I turn the key off for a second and she starts right up. It has been like this every since. I thought maybe it was the battery since the terminals looked all corroded. They were nice and clean and still a hard start condition. I took it back and the guys are saying it may be the fuel damper or the fuel pump itself. Well I just want to get others opinions on this. Like I said it has been running fine for the past 2 years and as soon I I get the aforementioned items replaced not it all of a sudden is hard to start. Is there any thing I can look at besides taking the plugs out myself to make sure the gaps are correct and feeling the relay to see if it gets hot (meaning the pump is going)? I changed the air filter, cleaned the MAF and IAC. Plugs are new, wires are new. I use only Sunoco gas and have been for years. I just replaced the fuel pump 2 years ago. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Exproblems]

let me get the fuel filter replaced and the spark plugs and wire changed. Well after I got everything done she started right up and I drove off. 20 miles down the road I noticed it was running rough. I was like what is wrong? >>>>>>>>>>>
I though maybe I needed to clean my MAF and IAC. Well I did that and now the X wants to shut off when I hit the gas. OK I take it back and say something is wrong. They check the spark plugs and one had broken. They order a replacement and everything is cool. >>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like I said it has been running fine for the past 2 years and as soon I I get the aforementioned items replaced not it all of a sudden is hard to start. Is there any thing I can look at besides taking the plugs out myself to make sure the gaps are correct and feeling the relay to see if it gets hot (meaning the pump is going)? I changed the air filter, cleaned the MAF and IAC. Plugs are new, wires are new. I use only Sunoco gas and have been for years. I just replaced the fuel pump 2 years ago. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Since your starting problem wasn't there and the vehicle was working okay before you took it to a mechanic to have the plugs, wires and fuel filter changed, I'd say the mechanic or shop is responsible for the starting problem you now have. It appears the mechanic who changed the plugs, some how damaged one of your new plugs by either dropping it on the floor(can crack the plug internally) or over tightened it in the cylinder head and damaging it. New plugs don't break by themselves. I'm also wondering if this mechanic may have fouled up something with your fuel line when he replaced the fuel filter, since you said when you hit the gas, it wants to shut off/die. This sounds like it is starving for fuel to me. He may have crimped one of your fuel lines closed, causing a fuel shortage to the motor under a load and since he damaged one of your new spark plugs anything is possible. I highly doubt it has anything to do with your 2 year old fuel pump and it was working fine prior to the tune up they did. How well do you know this mechanic and do you trust him completely? If I were you, I would go back to this mechanic and have them re-check their work telling him you had no starting problems prior to letting him work on your vehicle or take it to a different mechanic and have him diagnose the problem and see if it is related to the work you had done by the first mechanic. Hopefully the first mechanic isn't a crook, trying to soak you for more repair work $$$$$$$$$.

 

[lrwjr1964]

Thank you for your reply. I have been going to them for years. But now after this I am starting to think the guy that did the work did not do the right thing. I had them check the lines yesterday and they said they were fine. They put a pressure gauge on it and this is what he said. When I turned the key but not start the gauge read zero. then when I started it the pressure went to 45. When I turned the key off the pressure stayed and then gradually went down. They said it could be the fuel damper on the fuel rail. Once the X gets started it runs fine. just for the hell of it I had the car running and when I unplugged the MAF the RPMs picked up greatly and the when back down. I'm not sure if that means my MAF is shot since I cleaned it first with MAF cleaner and then did this test. I'll keep posted.

 

[bigmiketino]

My 2002 XLS just started having an issue when the motor is hot starting. Long crank truck has about 105,000 thinking a tune up but not sure guess I should try plugs and wires first.

 

[Exproblems]

Thank you for your reply. I have been going to them for years. But now after this I am starting to think the guy that did the work did not do the right thing. I had them check the lines yesterday and they said they were fine. They put a pressure gauge on it and this is what he said. When I turned the key but not start the gauge read zero. then when I started it the pressure went to 45. When I turned the key off the pressure stayed and then gradually went down. They said it could be the fuel damper on the fuel rail. Once the X gets started it runs fine. just for the hell of it I had the car running and when I unplugged the MAF the RPMs picked up greatly and the when back down. I'm not sure if that means my MAF is shot since I cleaned it first with MAF cleaner and then did this test. I'll keep posted.

Your welcome and I would be leary of this mechanic since your problem wasn't there prior to taking it to him. Just too coincidental that your problem started right after they worked on it. If you cleaned and re-installed the MAF and IAC correctly, then that should rule out those 2 things. I'm not very knowledgeable on the fuel systems in these modern day vehicles, so not much more I can give you here. I know the aftermarket(Purolator for sure) fuel filters need to be installed in a specific position/direction and the aftermarket ones come with a directional arrow marked on the side of them. The point of the arrow should face the motor when installed correctly. That points the direction of the fuel flow from the gas tank to the engine. If the filter was installed in the wrong direction, that would affect the flow of gas to the motor from what I was told. I would think if you had a bad MAF sensor, it would throw a check engine/error code. If you turn the key to energize the ignition, but don't start the engine, you should be able to hear the fuel pump kick on. Wish I could help you more, but thats all I got, sorry! Good luck with it.

 

[Rayster98]

3 years with same problem

I have a 2002 XLT V6 72,000 miles. This has been happening to my truck for about 3 years. It only does it was the truck sits for about an hour and then I try to restart, one crank and no start, second crank usually starts up. Its worse in summer weather. We have had it looked at by dealer, mechanics and no one can figure it out. No computer codes pop up. Had the computer flashed at dealer - no change. Cleaned IAC - no change. Need to vent a little. Living with it for 6 more months when we can finally ditch this vehicle. cracked coil springs, front wheel bearings, start issues,rear hatch is rusted and about to fall apart. roof paint has cracked peeled and rusted at year 6. 4wd sounds like crap, and this vehicle was maintained to the hilt. waiting for tranny to go next - starting to get a shudder at around 35-40mph and on certain accelerations. Unfortunately has turned me off of Ford. Loved the look.