won't cold start, crappy idle, runs rich

[CamMan02]

so tomorrow or saturday i'm going to have to fully break into this monster. for the last few days i've been having 'cold start issues'. I can crank and crank the car (03MM) but it will not start cold. However, I can immediately back off the key, turn it again, and it will start. The car will then run rich and idle at about 600-700 rpm and sputter. Now I intend on starting at the cheapest end of the scale for my diagnostics, and working my way up. The car throws 2 codes, EVAP emissions control, and Fuel Air Metering. Obviously these can mean several things. I plan on cleaning the Mass air flow sensor first, as well as the Idle air control valve connection, then replacing the fuel filter.

The check engine light goes on and off whenever the hell it feels like it, and only now does the "check fuel cap" seem to stay on permanently. I've read about everything ranging from a bad gas cap, to the rubber ball and spring valve being stuck open at the filler neck on the return line after the fuel rail. I'm really hoping my MAF sensor hasn't $h1t the bed.

ANY IDEAS or past experiences???

::side note:: i have recently gotten my fuel pump replaced after it decided to die on a 3 hour road trip. I wasn't in any position to do it myself at the time and have fears of some shotty maintenance being done.

[musclemerc]

My guess is the EGR valve is stuck in the open position. It could be as simple as the EGR tube being clogged with carbon, but start with the valve

[TooManyFords]

I would check the cam and crank trigger sensors. If it doesn't sense the engine turning over, it will not fire the injectors. Or, if it incorrectly thinks it sees #1 and it is off, then it is firing the coils at the wrong time.

Just a guess...

[BlueFusion]

I'd also look for a vacuum leak.

[CamMan02]

i do agree that these are all things i might need to look into if the others come up with nothing, but do they explain at all why it only has trouble on the first crank of the day, or after say 6+ hours of sitting?? if the car has been running recently it WILL turn over, it definitely doesn't spark to life like usual but on the cold starts it also has never taken more than 2 turns of the key. the first will crank forever and never start, and the second time it will quickly. :mad2: nothings ever simple

[CamMan02]

possible **epiphany** - maybe my fuel filter is clogged so bad it burnt out that fuel pump before. this is obviously an optimistic thought. i feel so stupid for not changing it yet. i bought the car in february (and possibly put too much faith in the previous owner) and within a month's time the Air Force was sending me away from the car for about 4 months. it should have been one of my first priorities. tsk tsk

[Pat]

Please post up what you find?

Was the previous maintenance on the pump system done by a dealership?
Rechecking previous maintenace is always a good starting point but in this case it's a difficult one. Pump being in the tank and all.

When you turn the key to 'on' the first time, do you hear a faint "thunk" from the rear? Listen carefully, radio off, don't start the engine, just turn the key to on. This indicates the fuel pump has been activated.

[Blackened300a]

I had similar problems when my intake tube popped off.

[justbob]

I had this problem for almost two years and gave up. After my dyno tune, POOF, gone. It would actually try to flood out every first start of the day or after it sat for a good long while. It only does it now every once in a great while.

[CBT]

It only does it now every once in a great while.

That's what she said!
But seriously, I have the same problem. It is sporadic. It was noticable this morning when I parked here at work, and even Amy noticed it and asked if it was because I havn't taken it to the Ford dealer in a while. So who knows. I was hoping it was the fuel filter (thanks for the assist, bob!) but it didn't make it go away. Next, coils.

[justbob]

That's what she said!
But seriously, I have the same problem. It is sporadic. It was noticable this morning when I parked here at work, and even Amy noticed it and asked if it was because I havn't taken it to the Ford dealer in a while. So who knows. I was hoping it was the fuel filter (thanks for the assist, bob!) but it didn't make it go away. Next, coils.

Been there, done that.

Check the vacuum line at the FRPS, see if you smell or have fuel in it. These go bad in two ways. One being electrical, the other mechanical, when this happens it leaks fuel into the vacuum line. I had a strong smell, but no actual fuel, but changing it out at a cost of $75 didn't do jack. Atleast it was on it's way out I supposse.

[Motorhead350]

I had this start up issue two days ago. The reason was because I changed the fuel filter and the engine didn't have fuel at the time. After one false start up it fired up the second time. After that I haven't had a problem.

Maybe you need a new fuel filter. It's $12 for a good one and is probably worth looking into anyway if you haven't changed yours.

[CamMan02]

well took apart the intake and cleaned everything. to include the MAF and idle air control valve. replaced the fuel filter, and when i went to put some gum-out in the tank, i noticed something i hadn't paid any attention to earlier. the plastic bevel that creates the seal with the gas cap was all chewed up from the aformentioned shotty-mechanic. I think this might be throwing the evap emissions leak code and the check fuel cap light. I used some gas-tank sealent where it was at its worst to seal any vaccum leak and also retrofitted some temporary foam in there (because i have to order an entire new filler neck, or attempt to pull one from a junkyard). since all this, the car still has all the same problems with exception to the dash being lit up. I'm sure they'll be coming back in no time. The new air idle control valve i ordered comes in tomorrow and is effortless to change out, will post any new results.

(and no the maintenance to the fuel pump was not done by a dealership, no fuel in the FRPS, and yes i can hear the fuel pump engage on the first key turn)