Fixed hot start problem
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Fixed hot start problem
My brother has a 1988 F-150 that has been hard to start for 4 years....the problem started after he had the engine rebuilt. The truck started fine cold, but after reaching normal operating temp it turned over slowly and wouldn't start until it sat for 20-30 minutes. He took it to several shops, replaced the starter 3 times (!), cut the battery cable clamps off and installed "bolt on/clamp on" battery terminals, and finally just stopped driving it if the trip involved any stopping and starting intervals. A mechanic offered to "take the engine apart, piece by piece...." until he found the problem, thinking maybe piston ring end-gap was too tight, or crankshaft end play was insufficient or something similiar since the problem started right after the overhaul. To make a long story a little shorter, the problem turned out to be a bad battery to engine ground connection. The overhaul mechanic attached the ground cable to an oil pan bolt. I found the problem by doing a voltage drop test between the battery negative post and the engine with the starter engaged. The drop measured about 7 volts! Moved the ground to the block....problem solved.
