Intermittent Starting Problem
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 139
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From: Warrenton, VA
Intermittent Starting Problem
I have an intermittent starting problem that is driving me crazy.
93 F150 2WD 5.0L Auto 210k
On a morning where there is a really heavy dew or when it was raining the night before and the cool night air caused a lot of condensation my truck won't start.
It turns over fine
It smells like it is getting fuel - raw gas smell at the tail pipe
It acts like something is zapping the spark - probably somethign associated with the high moisture or condensation.
Under the hood, even on the wettest morning, everything looks dry. I have checked the distributor and it is dry inside. Plug wires look dry, etc.
By noon, after the dew burns off, it starts and runs fine.
What can I do to trouble shoot this?
93 F150 2WD 5.0L Auto 210k
On a morning where there is a really heavy dew or when it was raining the night before and the cool night air caused a lot of condensation my truck won't start.
It turns over fine
It smells like it is getting fuel - raw gas smell at the tail pipe
It acts like something is zapping the spark - probably somethign associated with the high moisture or condensation.
Under the hood, even on the wettest morning, everything looks dry. I have checked the distributor and it is dry inside. Plug wires look dry, etc.
By noon, after the dew burns off, it starts and runs fine.
What can I do to trouble shoot this?
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,978
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From: Central PA
I bet new cap and wires would take care of it. I never had trouble with coil .
I bought a 93 F150 it "was" just tuned up. 2 weeks later and first rain it barely started and missed.. It had cheap non ford parts swaped out ran fine. The caps draw moisture and wire will short out. But thats what I think . good luck
I bought a 93 F150 it "was" just tuned up. 2 weeks later and first rain it barely started and missed.. It had cheap non ford parts swaped out ran fine. The caps draw moisture and wire will short out. But thats what I think . good luck
Last edited by lostin90s; Jan 22, 2007 at 08:42 AM. Reason: left out
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 588
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From: Bellville TX. Wof Houston
I had a chevy truck that did this drove us nuts b4 we figured it out.
any little rain shower and it would drown out. I would keep a bottle of rubbing alcohal in the cab for just the rain shower across town.
tuned it up and no more problems it looked like the dis cap was the one letting in water
any little rain shower and it would drown out. I would keep a bottle of rubbing alcohal in the cab for just the rain shower across town.
tuned it up and no more problems it looked like the dis cap was the one letting in water
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Warrenton, VA
Thanks for the help - I'll try the dist & wires. That's what my gut feel was, but since the dang things never looked the least bit wet I was wanting to make sure.
What's do you think about the Motorcraft parts vs aftermarket?
Not trying to start a holy war, but I don't want to throw money away - Ford is pretty proud of Motorcraft
What's do you think about the Motorcraft parts vs aftermarket?
Not trying to start a holy war, but I don't want to throw money away - Ford is pretty proud of Motorcraft
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
IMO Motorcraft is better than some aftermarket parts. I guess it depends on your budget. If you can't go all the way (distributor, cap, rotor, coil, wires, plugs, etc) I'd stick with Motorcraft. If money is no object, I'd go with MSD.
