Hot Start Problem! HELP!

[Mike W]

I've looked at the many "start" problem notes and responses, but none relate to my issue. I have a '95 2.3L Ranger (manual). I can go out in the morning and the truck starts like a champ. I drive anywhere and when I come back out - maybe only 1/2 hour or less, and the truck won't start. It almost comes to life on the first crank, then acts like it's flooded. I can crank it until the battery is almost dead and no start. I leave it, come back in a few hours and it will start up again (usually with a strong smell of gas in the exhaust). The last time this happened, on the way home the truck wanted to stall (almost like it was choking out) once or twice when I had to come to a stop - it also seem to stall/choke when I initially gave it gas.

Anyone have an approach to figure this out? Is it a sensor? Fuel Injectors? Much thanks.

 

[Mikel89us]

If it smells rich, hold the throttle wide open, if it starts you most likely have a leaking injector. It will only leak till there is no more pressure. The fuel can evaporate away if you let it sit, hence the cold start not being affected.

If it doesnt work, then test the fuel pressure. You may have a bad pump?

 

[Mike W]

Hot Start Problem

Great! Thanks. Will try the full throttle approach. If that works, my next step will be to figure out which injector is the problem, or replace them all (which means removing the intake manifold......

 

[Mike W]

Before I replace the injectors, any chance this could be a bad/clogged vacuum delay valve?

 

[Earl43P]

Check for spark.

Yours has two coilpacks.

Only one coilpack is used during starting. That coil fires the spark plugs on the RIGHT side of the engine.
Both coiplacks are used once it is running (to reduce emissions).

I suspect that the coilpack used for starting is going bad once it heats up. You could connect the plug wires on the right side of the engine to the other coilpack to test that theory for free, when it won't restart.

Or, when it won't start, CHECK FOR SPARK. You can use any old spark plug to do that. Just make sure its wrenchfla is touching bare metal so it gets a ground while the starter is cranking.


PS. Strong smell of fuel in the exhaust means you aren't getting..............SPARK.


PPS: If the 1995 has an IGNITION MODULE (also called ICM), it can also commonly cause a no-spark condition. I doubt whether the 95 still has that part, but it might.

 

[coleboy11]

It sounds like the fuel pressure regulator. I had a similar problem and replacing the fuel pressure regulator fixed it. The fuel pressure regulator has a diaphragm inside that is inaccessible and when it gets a tear from age and wear, it will run into the vacuum lines and make the gas smell you described. It will also make it hard to start at times and also may die while braking. It is a cheap fix compared to fuel injectors which are most likely not the issue.

 

[zekew64]

Just to throw my $.02 in here...

I looked into the Haynes Manual I have, and it lists three causes of a "hot, no-start" condition. They are:

1. Clogged air filter.
2. Fault in the fuel or electrical systems.
3. Fuel not reaching the carburetor or fuel injectors.

Based on those three, I'd almost say that you have a malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator, you have a bad fuel filter, or you have something in the injection harness (fuel or electrical) that's bad.