Explorer Will not start without starting fluid

Just about once every 5 starts the car won't start without starting fluid and I do not know why. It starts just fine all the other times and runs fine. There is no pattern to it, it does it sometimes when its hot or cold. I have no idea what would cause this... Any ideas/suggestions would be much appreciated. Help!

Something to do with fuel quality or quantity, since you didn't mention a check engine light or code.

1. Make sure your gas is good and new and from a reputable place.
2. Make sure your fuel filter (mounted on the frame rail) is good. Some older model TBIs have another filter under the hood on the throttle body (is so equipped). Check a manual for your model.
3. Make sure you have fuel pressure. The pump pickup may be clogged, or the pump is bad. Older models had mechanical fuel pumps that ran off the crankshaft. Newer models have electric pumps mounted in the tank. I put an in-line filter on an old Blazer I had, just so I didn't have to drop the tank. If you do this, make sure it is the correct pressure pump.
4. Make sure your fuel lines are unobstructed and not kinked.
5. Make sure fuel injectors are clean and fuel is getting into the cylinders.

But watch out. Too much starter fluid can burn a valve. That's fast-burning ether you are putting in there.

My thoughts rest in the last 4 mentioned. In that order.

Hi, you mentioned in one of your threads that you put an 'in-line' fuel pump in you ford explorer so you would not have to drop the gas tank... I am having problems with mine starting every now and then and I am looking to do the same. I have a few questions, first, how do I know what pressure pump to get, and second, can I just leave the bad pump in the gas tank?

[UglyBoy67401]

I had a friends explorer do that and we found out it was the cam position sensor