I have a 1997 f150 4.6. Today I was going to work and the engine shutdown as I was slowing for a red light. I pulled of the road and restarted the engine. I had to crank for a few seconds and the engine came to life. I continued to work with no problems. Engine ran smooth. Shut engine off then tried to restart about 2 minutes later. Wouldnt start. Tried about 4 times. Then tried to call someone for help then tried to start again about 2 minutes later. Tried to listen for fuel pump noise this time. Heard it and the engine started. No missing or rough running. Engine started easily 4 more consecutive times. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like your fuel pump may be going out! This may get you through for awhile until you get a fuel pump but if you encounter this no start condition again, have someone whack the fuel tank while you are cranking the truck. Sometimes the vibration will cause the fuel pump to start tickin again! Had to do this on one of my vehicles for a bit until my new fuel pump came in.

 

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. I have been hearing more about fuelpumps lately related to the use of ethanol ethanol...who knows....but I have about 150K miles on the truck now. It has been such a good performer, Only extra maintence has been to change the sparkplugs/wires/filters last year. I guess I was kinda thinking it would continue running for ever. In looking through some other forum threads I saw some issues related to an idle mixture or control valve....Will have to look again. Also a friend had a 200K mile explorer which exhibited similar problems. His mechanic added some outboard engine oil in the fuel and changed the inline filter. Seemed to fix his problem.