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Harder to start


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bob2994
New User

Sep 29, 2022, 9:17 AM

Post #1 of 6 (767 views)
Harder to start Sign In

My car is 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, 4.6 L, 110 K mi. It runs well, but lately it's taking more engine cranks then it should to start, & could be getting a bit worse. I replaced spark plugs, fuel & air filters, pcv valve, battery, & used a gas tank with fuel injection cleaner. What would you suggest I look at next ? Thanks
Bob


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Sep 29, 2022, 9:24 AM

Post #2 of 6 (763 views)
Re: Harder to start Sign In

You need to hook up a fuel pressure gauge before starting the car for the first time in the morning. Observe the gauge while someone else tries to start it and pay attention to how fast the pressure snaps to spec. Then observe what the pressure does when the car is shut off.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 29, 2022, 9:40 AM

Post #3 of 6 (760 views)
Re: Harder to start Sign In

USED GAS TANK! Just HOW DID YOU CLEAN THAT ONE OUT?

All suggests a late fuel pressure build up - the buzz you hear if quiet around just turn key to run hear it.

Plugs/wires on these. The long part to connect to plugs in a hole can leak electricity out the sides are fragile were common issues. Oil down in that hole also a real pest to do "valve cover gaskets" also check PCV system is working. Easy test - something the smokes (cigarette?) lift dipstick (they seal pushed down or out smoke or flame (AYOR) from a light goes in not out means PCV overcomes blow by - any reason some not good,


T



bob2994
New User

Sep 29, 2022, 10:52 AM

Post #4 of 6 (748 views)
Re: Harder to start Sign In

Thank you both. The fuel pump was replaced about 10 K ago, but still a good suggestion. Could be bad or clogged fuel injectors also ?

I probably didn't word the gas tank comment very well. I put cleaner in a full tank of gas, then drove till I needed fuel again.
No oil leaking from the valve cover. I'll look onto the spark plug wires leaking electricity, (are they hard to change ?)
Don't understand, the PVC test. Are you saying smoke would draw in/out of the dip stick hole ?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Sep 29, 2022, 11:18 AM

Post #5 of 6 (744 views)
Re: Harder to start Sign In

That wasn't a fix suggestion. It was a systematic troubleshooting step.

We need to know exactly how the fuel pressure is acting before we determine the next step.

Don't worry about the blowby/dipstick smoke. That's not causing this issue.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Sep 29, 2022, 4:40 PM

Post #6 of 6 (730 views)
Re: Harder to start Sign In

Not the most likely but was somewhat common is spark plug holes full of oil still worked suggests PCV can't overcome normal blow by or engine wear beyond good news.

Change in crank time is as Hammer said more likely a fuel issue doesn't matter if not that old - he said how you could check it I'd do so,

T







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