My 1997 Mountaineer 5.0L ususally starts, sometimes not, but always runs great after it starts. On the no starts, if I pull the fuel pump fuse, it starts every time as if it were flooded. 97K, new fuel filter, new plugs, can hear pump pressure up for 1-2 seconds, ran a bottle of chem tool through. Check engine light comes on, code shows evap system problem, replaced fuel cap and cleaned vent on carbon canister. Light may stay off for 60-70 miles after reset, or may go off on its own after several hundred miles.

 

Holding the pedal to the floor while cranking will shut off the injectors and allow a flooded engine to start.

Post the exact codes you have gotten. They may help in diagnosing the starting problems.

Steve

 

Code is PO442 - evap emmisions
Thanks, STEVE2

 

Evap fuel Code is PO442 - Fuel pressure tests-out a little low, but within range. Runs well, accelerates well, gas mileage steady at 15-17mpg in town. No-starts can happen if engine is cold or warm.

 

Hey Steve is does that still hold true for today's vehicles? I thought that was limited to the old TBI systems and not the new SMPFI systems.

 

The P0442 code is not related to anything else you are experiencing. The P0442 is due to the computer detecting a small-scale air leak into the evaporative emissions control system. It is unrelated to fuel pressure and engine operation. Personally, I would ignore it as long as you don't have emissions testing in your location. Just went through an ordeal with my 98 Contour and a P0442...

The throttle to the floor procedure is in the owner's manual.

Steve W

 

Thanks for the reply - how did you isolate/solve the leak? The Carbon cansiter, sensors, etc. all seem like a crap shoot. Thanks for your time.
Steve2

 

Low air pressure and soap solution...PITA.

After finding and fixing the only leak I could locate, it still popped the P0442. Surrendered and took it to dealer for "smoke test". No leaks found. They believe, after working with Ford's tech support hotline, that it's a flakey PCM. PCM was swapped, with neither a failure or an evap test pass. Still unresolved....

Steve