Problems on cold start

[slycer2002]

Hi, my 92 3.0, approximately 156,000 miles, has developed an annoying habit that so far has me at a loss. I have some ideas what the issue is, but nothing is 100%. Here is what it is doing: I'll start my truck when it is cold outside, or when I haven't driven it for awhile, and it will start right up. When I put it in gear and drive off, everything is fine. The problem starts when I hit the stop sign at the end of my block, or maybe a little after this. When I stop, and then put my foot on the gas pedal to go again, the truck will completely die. No warning, no sputtering. Its just a sudden loss of power, and its dead. Then, it doesn't want to start back up. It acts like it is flooded. If I tromp on the gas pedal while I'm trying to start it, it will usually start back up after a few seconds of cranking. When it does start, it kicks a lot of exhaust out of the tailpipe. This usually only happens once. Sometimes, it will lose power and act like it is going to die, but if I can get my foot off the gas pedal in time (not always easy to do if I'm going through an intersection) it will recover. Sometimes, but not always.
My thoughts on this mostly are centered in the fuel delivery area. To me, it sounds like a fuel pressure issue, like when I hit the gas after I stop, fuel floods the engine and kills it. But, I'm only a weekend warrior when it comes to wrenching on my truck, so I truly have no certain ideas. Any thoughts out there would be most welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

I'de start by checking your fule pressure, looking for vaccume leaks and pulling engine codes. Sometimes they can throw a code and not trip the CEL. When was the last time you changed your fule filter?

 

[fleck]

FULE.

It's an awesome word.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

oops. Fuel....Haha

 

[locovaca]

I had this happen when I pulled my ECT sensor connector and forgot to reconnect it. Started her up, drove fine until I hit the first red light, then it sputtered, died out, and wouldn't restart.

 

[slycer2002]

I changed my fuel filter late last summer, but this has been going on for awhile now, even before I changed my filter. It was, and still is, an annoyance, but since I can get my truck started after it happens, I haven't been that concerned about getting it fixed. Now, I'm just getting tired of it. Especially since the last time it did it, it left me stalled out in the middle of a busy four-way intersection. THAT wasn't good, let me tell you.

 

[Viper Command]

try replacing your o2 sensors
if you have a scaner do a data stream, check the o2 sensor it is bouncing lean and rich

 

[slycer2002]

God, I hate it when someone makes me feel like a newb. You would think that after owning an RBV for fifteen years, I would know easy crap like this. I forgot that a couple of years ago, I pulled a code (don't ask me which one, now) for the 02 sensors, but never got around to replacing them. This is my own fault. Thanks, viper, for reminding me how much of an idiot I am. No, truly, thanks for the help. I appreciate it.