Ok, so this isn't critical but a growing annoyance. Have an 04 2.3L with just over 100k. For the past 30k or so I have to tap the gas pedal while cranking to get it to fire off when its warm (not ran within past couple minutes, and not cold). Cold starts perfect. It's just when it's been sitting for like 1/2 to hour (just happens to be lengths of most my service calls for work). Been decent on maintenance except it's probably time for an intake cleaning, though that didn't affect starting last time.

When my dad drives it and we finish a service call he cranks for a while before remembering to tap the gas, and customers sometimes wonder if they need to come out and help push. I suppose I could put a "Tap Gas to Start" sticker on the dash, but yeah like he'd read it...

 

Have you replaced spark plugs,gas filter ,air filter and cleaned MAF sensor?

 

done all that except the maf cleaning. will do that tonight and see what happens

thanks