-15*C at night and I am having trouble starting in the morning. The engine fires briefly and then dies. After several cranks the car will sometimes start, other times I have to wait a couple of hours. I have put gas line antifreeze in the gas and this has helped a little. Could this be a fuel filter problem and where is the filter on this car.
1999 Ford Taurus Cold Start Stall
-15*C at night and I am having trouble starting in the morning. The engine fires briefly and then dies. After several cranks the car will sometimes start, other times I have to wait a couple of hours. I have put gas line antifreeze in the gas and this has helped a little. Could this be a fuel filter problem and where is the filter on this car.
Suggested Repair
Replace the fuel filter, located ahead of the right rear wheel and clamped to the frame. Relieve fuel pressure first by unplugging the inertia switch in the right rear storage area and cranking until the engine no longer fires. The owner confirmed a new filter restored cold starting and improved pull.
Conversation Summary
A 1999 Ford Taurus SE wagon with the 3.0L engine fired briefly and died during cold starts around -10 to -15 C, sometimes needing hours before it would run. Fuel-line antifreeze helped only slightly, and the check engine light was off. The expert located the fuel filter ahead of the right rear wheel, explained how to relieve fuel pressure with the inertia switch, and suggested checking fuel pressure, plug wires, connections, and a wide-open throttle start, or taking it to a shop. After the owner replaced the filter, the car started and pulled better.
