engine misfire - only at startup

[97ranger4x4]

I washed my engine out with simple green a few weeks ago as well. I used a power washer (on a light setting) and soaked with simple green for 10 min, then rinsed down with power washer. Now after sitting for a period of time (more than 2 hours) it hesitates when starting. Almost like the fuel pressure isnt there. If I cycle the key on off two or three times it fires up no problem. Once it has been started it hesitates for a few seconds and then goes to a perfect idle and runs like a champ. just the first few seconds. I had covered my altinator and intake filter when i washed it out. I was looking at the fuel pressure regulator and nothing looks out of the ordinary. I may take it off and take a look at it.

Any way to test it? I dont have a gauge to measure fuel pressure at the rail. any one have one they reccommend thats cheap?

Also it hesitates while I drive down my street in the morning. But that goes away by 6 or 7 houses.

Thanks for any help.

 

[97ranger4x4]

anyone have any ideas?

 

[cr_the_machinist]

I'd make sure you didn't blow and electrical connections or vacuum hoses off. Probably help if you put this in the 4.0 forum as well.

 

[97ranger4x4]

I already put this in the 4.0 forums unfortunately no one had any ideas. I also smell a the sweet smell of coolant, yet it isn't leaking and none is missing. I am totally lost.

 

[97ranger4x4]

So yesterday and this morning it seems to have fired up without really hesitating. I can still smell the coolant smell though. Is there anyway to test the pressure of my cooling system? I wonder if I should replace the cap on my radiator. It has been a while.

 

[Psychopete]

Is there anyway to test the pressure of my cooling system? I wonder if I should replace the cap on my radiator. It has been a while.

You can apply pressure to it and see if it drops over time, but you'll need the right tool to pump up the radiator with pressure. A shop could probably do this for you relatively cheap.

Cap is your call, but wouldn't hurt. Caps are also testable.

Where are you smelling the sweet smell? Are you actually loosing any coolant?

Pete

 

[97ranger4x4]

I smell can smell the sweet from inside my cab. But only after the truck has warmed up. Then after 5-10 min it goes away. I can smell a hint of it after i turn it off. I am not loosing any coolant. Well if I am it is such a small amount that I havent even noticed it. I have no smoke comming out of my exhaust as well.

Can a place like autozone/napa test a radiator cap? or do I need to take it to a mechanic?

 

[maitee1]

Just throwing this out there about the smell.

Chemical residue from the Simple Green could have permeated something in the engine bay which is why you thik you might be smelling coolant. If your coolant levels haven't changed and you do not see a leak that could be it.

However, you could put something under your truck overnite to see if you have a leak. Cardboard or kitty litter is what I would do.

 

[97ranger4x4]

yeh that make sense. Because when I first cleaned it, it smelled really sweet for the entire 2 hour drive pretty much. But its been 3 weeks now so i figured it would have burned off and gone away. Cleaning my engine was probably a bad idea. Now i have no grime to hold it together

 

[97ranger4x4]

Update:

So I checked my coolant overflow tank and it looks like it has dropped about 1/2 inch over the last 3-4 weeks. I am guessing this is what i am smelling. I still notice the smell, however the hard starting seems to have gone away for the most part.

I really hope there is no major problem with this thing. I plan on crawling under the truck this weekend and taking a good look around. I will see if I can find anything leaking. Even so, I dont see any smoke coming off the engine as if it were dripping onto the hot engine.