Having having trouble with my F-150 starting. It started about once a month or every 20 to 30 starts, but has progressively gotten worse to this past week about two or three times. Engine cranks and turns over with no issues but will not start. Once started the truck runs fine.

Battery is one year old but having it load tested tomorrow to rule it out.

Plugs wires cap and rotor all replaced a year-and-a-half ago.

What other items could likely be causing this issue?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

1995 F150 5.8L E4OD 4X4 180K

 

What is the fuel pressure: at idle with vacuum to the regulator, without vacuum to the regulator, and does it hold pressure after shut down?

 

I haven't checked fuel pressure. Unfortunately I do not have a fuel pressure gauge in order to test.

In regards to fuel, the fuel filter has not been replaced since I have had the vehicle for the last 3 years.

 

You can rent one from a parts store. I just have the cheap one from harbor freight, does the job well enough for personal vehicle work.

Change that filter before you have to change both pumps too. You'll need the little disconnect tool, and some penetrating spray. Ford had the bright idea to tuck the filter alongside the front tank...

 

Does it do this on both tanks? If you've only tried it with one then either try the other tank or just next time it won't start, get under it with a rubber hammer (or your steel toe boot or anything really) and whack the fuel tank you have selected. Smack it right under the pump a few times. Bet it fires right up then. If so, you have a failing fuel pump. On that truck each tank has it's own electric pump.

And yes the proper way to diagnose that would be with a fuel pressure gauge. I too have the cheap one from Harbor Freight (they also sell a nicer more expensive one as part of a kit) and it does just fine by me.

 

My truck occasionally did this. I just cranked on the starter and put my foot to the floor. It started pretty quickly with that lol

 

Holding the accelerator to the floor shuts off the injectors. This would indicate a rich, not lean condition.

 

more important question: where are you, and how old is the gasl?

if the gas is an ethanol blend and is more than 6 months old, i will say the issue is bad gas.