1999 Ford Taurus Cold Start Stall

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KIMGRAMPS
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  • 4 POSTS
I have a 1999 Ford Taurus SE station wagon, 3L, 140,000km. The temp here has dropped to -10 to
-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.
Feb 5, 2007 at 1:43 AM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
what's -15C, around 0-5 F ?? Shouldn't be any start issues at those temps.. as for drygas, if that's what you're using, it's a waste of money.. If you wanted to put something in the tank, use a bottle of fuel injector cleaner or some other fuel system cleaner...you wouldn't be getting any condensation in your tank anyway except under extreme temp swings and even then it's highly unlikely, I've never used it in a newer vehicle.. in older cars, early 70's and before, with those fuel systems, it was more common to have problems... if you insist on using the stuff, use the isopropyl rather then the methanol... your fuel filter should be located in front of the right rear wheel, attached to the frame with a clamp.. new one should come with the hairpin clips... relatively easy to replace, make sure you de-charge the fuel system of pressure.. inertia switch in your wagon should be behind the little drop-down door panel in the right rear of your storage area.. move the sound-deadening material out of the way, you'll see a little black box, usually with a gray electrical connector, unplug that, crank the engine until no more firing, pressure should be relieved.. any check engine light on???
Feb 5, 2007 at 11:08 AM
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KIMGRAMPS
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Thanks for the info TaurusWheel, Up here in Canada we are getting wind chills of -30*C at night. Engine check light does not come on. Unable to start car today (charging battery right now). Once car starts it is fine until overnight chill. I have to believe that there is a fuel line freeze up somewhere. Will let you know how it works out.
Feb 5, 2007 at 2:22 PM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
A buddy of mine lives up in Calgary.. down here in upstate NY it's been around 20F below zero wind chill yhe last couple of nights..air temp right now is about 0F, is your car cranking over and not firing??? Do you have any way of testing fuel pressure??? I would probably get it to a reliable repair shop, the dealer if need be, and have them look at it,, it's too friggin' cold to be farting around unless you can get it into a garage out of the weather... check all the easy stuff, sparkplug wires and connections, as many sensors and connections as you can.. how about if you hold the gas pedal to the floor, will it start???
Feb 5, 2007 at 3:08 PM
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KIMGRAMPS
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Changed out the fuel filter tonight and away she went. Seems to pull better too, maybe the filter was gummed up for a while before the cold weather. Thanks again for all your help Taurus.
Feb 6, 2007 at 2:39 PM

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.

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