[BLKXLT]

I tried searching this, so point me in the right direction if it has been posted.
I notice after my Escape has been driven and then parked an hour or two it sometimes takes a bit of cranking to get it running. Cold mornings fires right up. Ditto if I get in after 30 minutes or so. Ideas?

 

[Squishy]

I'm at a loss on this one. Maybe a failing starter or starter heat shield that causes the starter to bind up and turn slowly when hot? If you have a shop nearby that will test your starter for free, bring the car in while hot and see what the results are.

 

[Surfscape]

Does it sound like the battery is low (slow to crank) or just seems to be cranking normally and not starting? This will help with the troubleshooting.

 

[BLKXLT]

No difference in cranking speed. Usually if fires off in the first split second of starting, cold or hot. When its acting up it takes a few seconds longer to fire. Either ignition or fuel. Just don't know which or why.

 

[Squishy]

I've heard of the fuel pressure regulator causing similar problems (no hot start). Don't know why though.

Also for engines with a waste-spark system, the coil pack sometimes failed when hot and took out two cylinders. I have yet to hear of it happening on a COP engine, but I guess one dead cylinder could still cause a slightly longer crank.

 

[Scooter Scott]

If there was a dead cylinder wouldn't a performance loss be noticed?

 

[Squishy]

Once the engine starts up the extra juice from the alternator "fixes" the dead coil.

 

[Surfscape]

My stang had at least one leaking fuel injector and it would sometime be harder to start if it sat after running. It seemed the fuel pressure would leak down and put fuel in the cylinder(s) and make for rich start. If it was a short time there was not enough time to leak down adn if it was long enough the fuel would evaperate (I guess). This MIGHT BE a possibility. I got a little smoke when it happened too from teh unburned fuel.

You Might get a fuel pressure gauge and see how much fuel pressure you a have and how fast it stays with the key off.

Just an idea.

 

[drescape08]

well i just took my 08 in for this reason...not sure why, but it starts up like its flooded and you have to crank on it for a few seconds for it to fire up. ill let u know the result of this issue.

 

[BLKXLT]

Thanks for the ideas. This sounds like a possibility, but no smoke from mine. Maybe an industrial injector cleaner would help if leaking.
dreamscape08 let me know whaat you find out.

My stang had at least one leaking fuel injector and it would sometime be harder to start if it sat after running. It seemed the fuel pressure would leak down and put fuel in the cylinder(s) and make for rich start. If it was a short time there was not enough time to leak down adn if it was long enough the fuel would evaperate (I guess). This MIGHT BE a possibility. I got a little smoke when it happened too from teh unburned fuel.

You Might get a fuel pressure gauge and see how much fuel pressure you a have and how fast it stays with the key off.

Just an idea.

 

[BLKXLT]

Well I put some injector cleaner, well actually a 16 0z bottle of sea foam, in the gas tank. I guess it has some good solvent properties. 1/2 tank later it seems to be resolved. Back to a short crank and running fine regardless of when I try to start. Idle seems a little lower and smoother. Perhaps an injector was hanging open a bit due to ****, varnish.
dreamscape08's comment "..but it starts up like its flooded and you have to crank on it for a few seconds for it to fire up." is the best description of how mine was acting as well.
I can't believe it is going to be that simple, but I'll let you know if it returns.

 

[drescape08]

glad it seems to be working...and hope it stays gone for ya. my deal is that mine is on an '08 w/ 30k. not exactly sure it should already be doing this. and i have ran a bottle of amsoil fuel injector cleaner through it. its in the shop now getting looked at. and at least i made it known before my warranty goes...so they are still responsible for it.

 

[hattrick203]

yea i have the same problem. when it's in my garage over night it starts right up in the morning. but after it warms up the engine takes a while longer to start