Cold Start Problem?

[MPDano]

Hello all,

I read somewhere that there was someone who also had a cold start problem. It just started on my wifes Escape 2001. I changed our the plugs and all seemed fine, but it showed up again. It's only on a cold day. I have to hold the gas pedal slightly down to keep it running or it just dies. After about 3 minutes of this, it will idle fine. Then I can start like normal. Is there something controlling cold starts, like a valve?

[BigAL]

I have a very similar problem. I start the car in the morning and it sounds like its going to shut off and it revs up and down. After 3 to 5 minutes it revs normal. Only other thing I noticed is that it kills 1/8 of the gas tank for the first like 5 miles. have you figured any resolution out?

[AlohaBra]

IAC...Idle Air Control Valve could be you problem....Search....

[AlohaBra]

Ford has a new Technical Service Bulletin (T.S.B.) out for stalling concerns on the 3.0L Escape.

Article No. 02-08-06

Issue.

Some vehicles equipped with the 3.0L Duratec engine may exhibit an intermittant engine quit condition. This is usually a one time event during closed throttle deceleration with no DTCs and no MIL. The engine will restart immediately.

Parts involved.

Idle Air Control valve
Throttle Body
EVAPVM Valve
Electronic Engine Control Relay
Powertrain Control Module, if unable to reflash.

Remember. This is a recommended repair and certain tests must be performed to determine what parts are needed.

You also need to be sure there is not a lot of extra keys on the key ring. The extra weight will actually move the ignition key enough to shut the vehicle off.

[hartberg]

I have a 2001 Ford Escape that had a cold start ( idle ) problem that I fixed. It turned out to be a lower intake gasket. It has around 100,000 miles on it with no problems. I figured it was time to change the plugs and found out you have to remove the intake manifold to get them. After I replaced the plugs and put it back together the car started having problems idleing when it was cold. When it warmed up to operating temp it ran fine. As it was trying to idle while cold it would idle up and down, almost shaking the car at times. I figured I didn't seal something right so I took the intake manifold off again and put another new set of upper intake gaskets on and put it back together and still same problem. I started searching for a vacumn leak and noticed a leak at the base of the lower intake tubes. I was releasing gas from a propane torch around the intake and when I ran it by the front lower intake the engine reved up. The two lower intake tubes have the fuel injectors attached to them. I pulled up these and replaced the gaskets at the bottom. The car seems to be running fine now. I never even took these lower intake tubes apart originally when I worked on the car but apparently the smallest amount movement must of unseated one of the gaskets.

[sampabon]

My 2001 Ford Escape? SAME PROBLEM! I took it to a local mechanic who diagnosed a misfire 6 (?) changed a coil, all 6 spark plugs, tune-up, fuel injector cleaning, new air filter.....the problem continued. They suggested I take it to Ford for a diagnostic and they found it had vacuum leaks; pcv valve and intake o-rings were replaced by Tires Plus; the problem continued! I went back to Tires Plus and now they say the manifold or intake (?) cover is open (the black plastic cover over the center of the engine). They demonstrated by spraying air on the front and showing me how it sucks up the air. I, of course don't know any better but am hesitant in putting in another $500 plus tax and still having this annoying problem! OH, by the way, for those who mentioned PCM recalibration, Ford SWEARS that doing this will NOT fix the problem!

[Espo49]

HI,

I have a 2003 Escape which also started having the same type of problem. Several weeks ago it started hesitating when I first started driving in the cold mornings. It has also now either stalled or starts to stall when I'm sitting at a traffic light (very scary). If it starts to stall, I have to put my left foot on the brake and the right on the gas to keep it running. I had the intake valve replaced about a year ago by Ford as it wouldn't stay running at all. This seems to be a different problem. I am not comfortable with my Ford service department (as they told me I needed $2000 worth of repair which I didn't actually need) so I was thinking of taking it to an independent mechanic. Any suggestions would be very helpful as I too don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for a repair (I feel like I'm always taking it in for something).

Thanks!