2003 Sport Trac with intermittent start issue

[Felix Corraliza]

Our ST has start to repeat a pattern from last year about the same time. Engine will turnover but not start after the vehicle has been out in direct sunlight for several hours. So the car is heated/hot but the engine has not been used. 94000miles, well maintained and usually 3/4 of a tank of gas at all times.



Thought it may be vapor lock and vented the tank. No luck.

Pushed fuel reset switch. No luck.

Smell gas and hear fuel pump engaging.



Any thoughts or experiences?

 

[Richard L]

Early Sport Tracs had a problem with a faulty fuel pump that would leak gas (in the fuel tank) and would loose pressure when sitting for several hours or overnight. It would take several attempts to start to build up up sufficient fuel pressure for the engine to start. Over time, this condition gets worse until the engine will not start at all.



A simple test would be to turn on the ignition without attempting to start the engine....since you said you can hear the fuel pump running, wait until the pump stops, or about 15 seconds before turning the key to engage the starter. If the engine starts consistantly using this method, you probably have a leaking fuel pump. If this does not work to start the engine after waiting for fuel pressure to build, you probably have a bad fuel pump or perhaps a clogged fuel filter?



The leaking fuel pump problem was very common on the 2001 Sport Tracs, and some of early 2002 Sport Tracs....but it's possible you may still have the defective fuel pump in your 2003 model? That could happen if the original fuel pump was changed in the past and someone used a fuel pump off the shelf that was one of the older defective versions ???



...Rich

 

[Vic Sorlie]

How many miles on fuel filter? It could be as simple as that; if it's been a while or unknown since last change, I'd eliminate the cheapest, easiest cause first. If after that problem still with you then I believe a fuel pressure check would be next. Eric The Car Guy has great videos on No Start issues.

 

[Yardsale]

Adding to what Richard notes, it may take several cycles of turning the ignition to On (without attempting to start) to get the fuel pressure up. The more cycles, the worse the pressure leak.

 

[Eric Toften]

I agree with everything said. Particularly the part about trying the fuel filter first if it hasn't been changed at regular intervals.