Notices
Aerostar Ford Aerostar

cold start vs. Hot start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 10:29 AM
  #1  
ckutter's Avatar
ckutter
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
cold start vs. Hot start

95 4L AWD

Real hard to start after a warm restart. Like, engine up to temp. Turn off for 5 minutes. Then go to restart. Takes a while to start. then acts like its flooded. Blip the throttle a couple times and it clears and idle smooths out.

20 degree cold start. Takes half as long to start and starts with a smooth idle.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 12:55 PM
  #2  
96_4wdr's Avatar
96_4wdr
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
any codes?

do you start with no throttle action by driver? mandatory with these ECU/PCM controlled vehicles.

likely culprits.
failed ECT or wiring.
failed IAT or wiring.
http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=28

when was the MAF cleaned or replaced last?
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 12:59 PM
  #3  
VanGo's Avatar
VanGo
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Wichita
FPR? My Caddy was doing the same thing and a new regulator fixed it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 02:33 PM
  #4  
Pablo-UA's Avatar
Pablo-UA
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
try to depress gas pedal on restart...


try to put wet clothe on FPR....
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 05:33 PM
  #5  
Aeroman59's Avatar
Aeroman59
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
Too much fuel?

Originally Posted by ckutter
95 4L AWD

Real hard to start after a warm restart. Like, engine up to temp. Turn off for 5 minutes. Then go to restart. Takes a while to start. then acts like its flooded. Blip the throttle a couple times and it clears and idle smooths out.

20 degree cold start. Takes half as long to start and starts with a smooth idle.
Sounds like possible leaking injector(s) or Fuel pressure reg problem. Check fuel rail pressure (Key on Engine off) should be around 40 PSI, Start the engine & it should drop about 5 PSI. If not check vacuum line to FPR unplug the vac line & Fuel pressure should rise (at idle).

If pressure will not hold with KOEO, suspect leaking injector or other fuel pressure leak. Leaking injector would hardly be noticable at cold start, but at hot start it will def cause some problems.

Air filter blocked or faulty ECT or ACT could cause this condition also.

Any black smoke out the tailpipe?
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 06:50 PM
  #6  
xlt4wd90's Avatar
xlt4wd90
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,013
Likes: 205
From: SoCal
Club FTE Silver Member

Funny, my van just started to exhibit similar symptoms. But more specifically, it's gotten much easier to start when it's been off for a long time, like a week, but warm start has not changed. It used to take at least a second of cranking to start whether warm or cold. Now, after sitting for a few days, it starts within the first half second of cranking. When warm, it goes to normal again. I'm also wondering if the injectors have a small leak that pools fuel over time, which makes the cold starts seem too easy.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:19 PM
  #7  
Aeroman59's Avatar
Aeroman59
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
Funny, my van just started to exhibit similar symptoms. But more specifically, it's gotten much easier to start when it's been off for a long time, like a week, but warm start has not changed. It used to take at least a second of cranking to start whether warm or cold. Now, after sitting for a few days, it starts within the first half second of cranking. When warm, it goes to normal again. I'm also wondering if the injectors have a small leak that pools fuel over time, which makes the cold starts seem too easy.
Strange, after a week, you would think that fuel vapour would be lost from the cylinders. Shows how good an injection system is !
Ford engine strategy allows 1 second of NO spark at cold crank to prime the oil system & build up pressure. Big help with engine longevity.
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2009 | 11:13 PM
  #8  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

I would check coolant temp sensor and air charge sensor for correct resistance...If you have two or more injectors leaking you may have a hard time starting. I have one leaky injector from time to time but never hard start..I did have hard start on a 94 and 96 both cases it was the fuel pump...


Dick
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 05:17 PM
  #9  
CarCrazy1001's Avatar
CarCrazy1001
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
I had trouble starting my Aerostar when the engine was warm. My CHECK ENGINE light was on and after taking it to a shop to check the code for the CHECK ENGINE it turns out it was my coolant temp sensor. I changed that and starts up after 3 cranks no matter what the temp is. Its cheap and easy to change, I would just change it because its a simple fix.
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2009 | 10:46 PM
  #10  
ckutter's Avatar
ckutter
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Sorry I've been busy. I tested the regulator last year.

I was thinking the ECT myself. On my old 914's they have a cold start valve that is a 5th injector to give it extra fuel when cold. The Aerostar acts the same as the 914 did when it started leaking.

No codes. New fuel pump. Where/how do I hook up a fuel pressure gauge ?
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2009 | 05:26 AM
  #11  
96_4wdr's Avatar
96_4wdr
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
on the passenger side on fuel rail, there is a connector that looks like a tire air stem. Schrader valve. fuel pressure gauge hose screws onto it. be careful and drain first with shop rag over top of hand and valve to keep gas spray out of eyes.

should see 30 psi minimum at idle, 35 psi at 2k rpm.
shut off engine and should not drop more than 5 psi in an hour.

pull off and look for fuel drips and and breaks or deterioration in the FP regulator vacuum line
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:26 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE