Trouble starting, sometimes!

[thaydel]

I have a 2001 Ranger with a 3.0 and sometimes its hard to start. It spins over fine but it might spin for 5 to 10 seconds before starting and sometimes it starts fine. It does it when its hot or cold, doesn't matter. Any ideas on what to look at as the problem?

[BroncoJoe19]

How many miles on your plugs?

[Cuda_Jim]

Intermittent symptoms are tough. Could be a few things.
It might be the fuel pump is getting weak or a fuel drain back issue.
Next time it cranks too long listen for the fuel pump.
Cycle the key OFF then ON (not crank)..... Listen at the fuel tank filler opening if necessary.
This might take 2 people, the fuel pump only stays on for 3-4 seconds when the engine doesn't fire-up.

On edit: Joe your're too fast for me LOL!

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by thaydel

It spins over fine but it might spin for 5 to 10 seconds before starting and sometimes it starts fine.

Live with it.

My Duratec 30 (DOHC 3.0L) will sometimes crank for 15 - 20 seconds before firing and its a lot never than your engine.

[cbxer55]

My 98 3.0 auto has been doing the same thing, intermittently for two years now. There have been a few times when I completely drained the battery and it did not start. Put it on a charger, and a few hours later it fires right up!

I have yet to be able to figure what is causing this. Fuel pressure is perfect, got spark, all the sensors check out with an ohm-meter. So I am at a complete loss here.

What I have found that works though, is priming the damn thing. I keep a small mister bottle with a mix of gas and alcohol in the truck. My after-market intake tube has a plug where the crankcase vent is supposed to go. I remove the plug, mist some fuel in the intake tube, re-install the plug, and the f--ker fires right up every time.

Why the H-E-Double-Toothpicks should I have to prime a computer-controlled, fuel-injected vehicle to get it started?