Hard start issue...

[blackmagic]

So I've been battling this hard start issue for the past couple weeks and have been pulling my hair out trying to analyze it in my head. Intermittently the car starts hard, 2002 LS 3.9L. It doesn't matter if its cold, hot, if its been sitting for 3 minutes, 3 hours or 3 days. It does it sparatically all the time. Today I checked the rail pressure and it bled off quickly. I checked the line pressure before the rail and the bleed off rate was much less so I knew the problem was in the fuel rail. So I pulled the rails off and let the injectors hang there. Sure enough, number 6 cylinder was dripping like a water fall. Of course no local auto parts stores have an injector for this car. The one guy even asked what a Lincoln LS was :eyeroll:

So just some FYI for anyone that has any hard start issues, checking the rail pressure is one of the first things to do. Don't waste your time over analyzing everything trying to come up with possibilities like I did.

 

[2000LSMichael]

I would suggest sending them out to have cleaned and then they usually will get them spraying all the same.

 

[97stscaddy]

When it starts leaking its usually too late for a cleaning.

Hit up one of our Ford sponsors here on the site (5 Star or Team, Look in the ad bar at right for links to their sites). Just tell em you're from LVC and they'll give you a good price.

 

[2000LSMichael]

Correct, they will tell you that it is no good if it is leaking. But some places will take that in as a core and give you a few bucks for it.

If all injectors are pulled out anyways, it is easy to have the other 7 cleaned.

 

[blackmagic]

I am going to clean them. I have a connection at the local Ford dealer so I'll have a new injector tomorrow. Hopefully this will get the fuel economy back in check. 14 city and 19 highway isn't cutting it anymore. I just can't believe the car didn't run like crap with the injector leaking that bad.

 

[blackmagic]

Well, I replaced the bad injector and cleaned the rest and it still starts hard. It is dumping too much fuel in at start up. If I hold the pedal to the floor and then start it the car fires right up. If I start it without holding the pedal to the floor it cranks over for 3-5 seconds before it fires and then smells like raw fuel.

 

[2000LSMichael]

I was curious where you took the injectors to have them cleaned? I had to send my injectors to NJ to have them cleaned and flow tested.

You may want to PM QuikLS, but I forget if this has something to do with the IAC valve not opening/closing correctly.

 

[blackmagic]

I was curious where you took the injectors to have them cleaned? I had to send my injectors to NJ to have them cleaned and flow tested.

You may want to PM QuikLS, but I forget if this has something to do with the IAC valve not opening/closing correctly.

There are several places around here that clean injectors. Any reputable shop should be able to do it.

My IAC is a bit tired I think. I pulled it off to clean it a couple weeks ago and I seen it was stuck open about 3/8 of an inch. I can't see that causing this problem though. If anything that would cause idle issues I would think because it controls air and not fuel. This thing is flooding itself when I start it.