Updated starting problem

[DonM]

Well im almost 100% sure it's not the Chip now. I found a thread related to starting problems. The fuel pump was my first guess. More so with the check valve. Ive been priming it first before I start the truck up!

Today after shoveling the two feet of snow off the drive way, I began clearing all the snow of my Explorer.

I then went to start the truck, it started up fine. But once i turned the defrost on the engine kept trying to stall. Before it could stall i turned it off! Tried it again, the check engine light came on(flashing) and i could hear a clicking noise coming from under the hood?

So I tried it a few more times, each time i primed the fuel pump! Um, each time i turned the key in the on position, the check engine light would blink/flash and a clicking noise could be heard from under the hood.

So does this sound like a bad Fuel Pump/check valve?

BTw, the last time I did get the engine to start, but it ran really rough and I could smell the fumes from the exuast were a bit lean.

 

[Opera House]

You can pull the fuel pump relay

and put a jumper in place of it. As a test that would eliminate the effects of any leakdown problem. If it starts normally, that would verify that leakdown is the cause. Do you have any pressure gauge or voltmeter to do diagnostics with?

 

[DonM]

No, i dont have any of that stuff!

I just tried to run for code, Im not very good with the OBD1 scanner and it's a complete mess out side!!! I did get it started and it seems to run fine now, but im afraid it's gonna continue to do this untill I get it fixed!

The truck was sitting since Sat night, so im guessing it's a bad Check valve? It has starting problems only when it sits for a few hours...

 

[Opera House]

I'd be more inclined to believe

a bad fuel pressure regulator. Some of these have the spring not centered and it wears the seat on one side. Eventually it wears throught to the center tube and creates a leak. I made a fuel pressure gauge from an old bicycle pump fitting and a gauge. It won't open the schraeder valve so I have to remove it first. You should be able to hold 25# for at least 15 minutes. Normal pressure is 39# before starting and around 33# at idle. Many gauges are off quite a few pounds.

 

[DonM]

So a bad FPR would cause a no start/hard start?

What about the flashing check engine light and the clicking?

Anyway, as much as I would like to do the fix my self, im afraid im just gonna have to take the Ex to the shop! To cold and to much snow on the ground!

I just want some kind of idea of what the problem could be? That way the shop doesnt try to pull one on me!

Thanks

 

[DonM]

The fuel pump does seem to work fine and it does shut off after a few sec. Im guessing a bad Check Valve or FPR. Like I said, it seems to only do this whenever it has been sitting overnight! But this is the worst it's been since it started a few weeks ago. Im guessing because my Ex wasnt started since Sat night! That's almost 48 hours. I heard a bad valve could cause the gas to bleed off? This is what makes me think it's a bad Check Valve.

Anyone else?

 

[DonM]

Bump for the midnight shift