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cold start issue

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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 02:59 PM
  #1  
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a.goudey
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cold start issue

I have a 95 F150, 300 six, 5-speed Mazda.
Recently, more so during a cold start it has a hard time catching fire. I does after a bit of sputtering. Plugs are new. Rotor and cap are fine. Has been dosed with injector cleaner. I want to fix this before 40-below hits northern Alberta. Not so long ago it would fire up instantly.
Any thoughts?
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 06:48 PM
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Seem like its turning over slowly? Have you checked the timing? Hows the air filter and fuel filter?
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 07:12 PM
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Hey Kevin. No, the filters are good and the starter is good. I'm wondering if there are any sensors that may be involved. It feels to me that it is getting to much fuel, or that the ignition is struggling to fire it up. It doesn't take it long, a couple of cranks to fire and sputter... and then it fires and runs on the second try after one crank.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 08:37 PM
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How old/mileage on the plug wires?

Define this statement: "Rotor and cap are fine"

Cold weather will tax all the components more than hot weather IMHO.

Have you checked for codes?
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:18 PM
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Rla noted a good point, dump codes.

Do you have dual tanks? I had a similar problem you are describing. Front tank fuel pump was weak. I would also say to check fuel pressure. You need to check for spark too. What color is it? I think its blue is good and yellow spark is weak. Someone correct me if wrong. Post back with codes so we can help you in diagnosing.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:36 PM
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Rotor and cap are a year old, clean, no arcing or deposits, spark plugs clean, fuel filter two years old. Codes... i'll to get someone to do it.

What sensors, modules, diaphragms etc. will fault to affect fuel on cold start?
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:47 PM
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If the pump is weak, you won't have enough fuel pressure to fire the engine smoothly, hence the "sputter".

This trick may help...Try cycling the ignition switch to on and then off several times without starting and then try starting the truck. If it fires smoothly, weak pump or pumps.

Also, single or dual tanks?
 
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:52 PM
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OK TimberSteel. That sounds like a good test. Thanx
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by a.goudey
Hey Kevin. No, the filters are good and the starter is good. I'm wondering if there are any sensors that may be involved. It feels to me that it is getting to much fuel, or that the ignition is struggling to fire it up. It doesn't take it long, a couple of cranks to fire and sputter... and then it fires and runs on the second try after one crank.
Okay. I was wondering more about your battery's condition than your
starter. As far as the sensors go, I think you're digging in way deeper than you need to at this point. Start with the obvious things first. Fire and fuel.

Very knowledgeable members here on FTE so I'm sure you'll get it sorted. Good luck.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 08:36 AM
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just gonna throw out something obvious probably to most, but are you pressing the gas pedal down even a little when you start it? if you are dont, it says right in my manual do not touch the gas pedal when you start the vehicle unless it isnt starting after 2 minutes of cranking, it also says normal crank time under 50 degrees is up to 30 seconds
 
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 01:01 PM
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Mine does it on rear tank... stumbles and runs rough for a second when cold. Ok when its warm... Front takes longer to fire than I'd like when cold, but fires right away when warm... Runs like a champ otherwise...

But that's what I get for 277k on the original pumps... I'll likely throw one new pump in the front one of these days and see how that goes...
 
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 04:24 PM
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Thanx guys

Yes i was pressing down on the gas pedal a little, and not doing so made a good difference. That wasn't a problem until recently. Maybe it is having a midlife crisis with 308K on the dial. She is still a very reliable and tough truck. I've recently hauled a few yard and a half loads of drain rock at 3800lbs, which is amazing for such a light truck. It does have Firestone air suspension to help with that task... but 3800lbs is the absolute max as the brakes, tires are at their outer limits. It handles with grace my usual, three days a week hauling of water and supplies at 2000lbs. Its weakest aspect is the mazda 5speed. I hope to transplant a wide ratio zf47 5speed... if i can find one.
 
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