Hard to start, possible flooding

JONES ALMOND

MEMBER
1989 FORD BRONCO
2.9L
V6
4WD
MANUAL
140,000 MILES

After the car has been driven and operating temperature has been reached it is hard to restart. Does not make any difference how long the car was driven. Runs good while being driven. The only way to get it restarted while it is still warm is to hold the gas pedal to the floor and try restarting. Takes several attempts while still holding pedal on floor. I understand that holding pedal to floor signals the computer to not inject gas.

History: 8/7/'18 Stopped running as if out of gas. Had fueled recently. Would not start. Had it towed to an independent garage. Installed new fuel pump. Drove car home approximately twenty miles. Next day it would not start. Tried to start several times. Acted as if the engine or starter was locked up.

8/15/'18: Had it towed to an independent garage that had done work for me before. Nothing related this problem.

8/27/'18: Picked up vehicle.
Problem: Gasoline in two cylinders.
Work done: 1. Got fuel out of cylinders.
2. Installed two new fuel injectors.
3. Installed new fuel regulator. Said fuel pressure was too high.
4. Cleaned other fuel injectors.

On or about 9/20: Took car back to same garage. Was idling too too fast around 2,000 rpm's.

10/ 8/'18: Picked up vehicle.
Work done: Installed new IAC valve.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi and welcome to 2CarPros. Com.

Based on everything that was done, I question the engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT). This sensor sends coolant temperature information to the computer which is used to operate the EGR flow, ignition timing, and air fuel mixture. Based on that information, the computer adjusts the air/fuel mixture which I question if the problem is coming from. If the sensor is bad, it can send a bad reading. For example, if the engine is warm and the sensor tells the computer it is -40 degrees, the computer will over compensate sending too much fuel to the engine. Thus, you will need to hold the throttle open to allow enough air to enter the engine and the engine to start.

The interesting part about this problem is it may not set a code. If the sensor is sending a signal, right or wrong, the computer determines it is getting a signal and thinks everything is working.

The sensor I am referring to is located (top of engine, near upper intake manifold). It is threaded into the heater outlet fitting. I attached a picture of it.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Joe

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