Long cranking at start-up hard starting

I failed to mention I found some bare wires and made sure nothing could touch and short out. I have replaced two coils that appeared to be bad. One which must've gotten hot because the spring that contacts the plug was recessed too far in insulator boot to even reach the plug and the other had a tear in the boot which could possibly cause it to arch out. Also removed fuel rail replaced o rings on the injectors that were worn or damaged. If I somehow caused bare wires to touch when I removed the coils to replace the plugs, would that blow a fuse or relay or would it damage the PCM?

Yes, the check engine light has been on. I had it hooked up to a scanner at O'Reilly's and it showed that a front bank O2 sensor was bad on one side and a rear bank on the other and the cam sensor. I have changed the cam sensor, but not the O2 sensors. They could be bad, but there's another deeper root cause that's still an issue. A while back one morning it started with a small miss. I figured it needed a tune up so I was going to change the plugs and coils. I didn't have the $200.00 some for the set of coils so I just went ahead and changed just the plugs and that's when it all started I rechecked the gaps, taped up some bare spots I found in the wiring at the coil connectors, I forgot to mention when I changed the plugs I noticed the spring in one of the coils was recessed too far in the boot to even reach the plug. I was sure that was bad and the issue and a week or so later when I could afford one, I replaced it. Still missed a little but drive able. After a week or two maybe, it gradually got worse and started to backfire under the hood here and there, lagging on acceleration, hard to start. About two weeks ago it blew the plug out of the #4 cylinder and broke the coil. I'd like to think this wasn't due to an error of mine when I changed them cause I've been working on cars for years now and this has never happened. I had to use one of them kits that you tap it out and install an insert for the threads that the plug will go in. I'm pretty sure that part of the issue is fixed. Then, last week I wondered if I was looking in the wrong area so I removed the fuel rail and inspected the injectors, replaced the o-rings that were damaged, I have a fuel filter but weather has not been cooperating.

Yes, I do agree that the symptoms before I even tried any kind of repair or tune up cold have been a faulty O2 sensor. I wish I'd had it scanned before I did anything. After I had already tried the plugs and coils, then I had it scanned and wish I'd done that first. I think there's more issues now than just the o2 sensors. I noticed when I was tracing for bare wires in the harness, there are only four wires running to the front, but three coils that are two terminal connectors. Then at about the first coil towards the harness there are two wires spliced into one of the four and one runs to the center (#4) and the other to the right (6). Is that correct? I wondered if someone may have replaced the harness using one from a four cylinder engine then did that to make it work, if nothing else, just to sell it.

Thanks. I think before I start with these I need to eliminate other, cheaper possibilities. I did not change the plenum or intake gaskets when I did the plugs. I don't believe there to be a vacuum leak, but if the scan tool shows lean and O2 sensor, but no misfire I guess I should double check all possibilities. I did check for a vacuum leak once, but was leaning more towards it being a firing issue since it started basically after the plugs were changed. Thank you. The images you attached will come in handy.

Hi,
I recently purchased a 2002 Ford Escape XLT 4WD. It is a V6. I have problems starting the car. I haven't been able to pinpoint what trigers the problem. Somtimes, I can go a week without a problem, and other times it can happen a couple of times a day.
This is what happens: I trun the key. I hear the engine turning over, but it just doesn't start. Is is symtomatic of not having enough fuel. When this happens, what usually does the trick is waiting about 10 minutes or so, and then trying again. Then, in many instances it starts right away. In addition, sometimes, even when I don't have a problem getting it to start, it sounds like it is taking a second or two longer than it should to get it started. Waht do you think the problem is. Some friends have given me a couple of possible suggestions. A sensor, the security code thats connected to the chip on the key, the starter, the fuel pump, the fuel filter. What do you think?
Thank You

Have you given her a tune up yet?
If not, then you should change the spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, and check all the fluids that to be shure that they're full and clean. Also, check the coolant level in the radiator, not just the overflow tank.
Sometimes all a car needs is a little tune up.

Definitely a crack in the intake maybe more than one. Thought about trying to patch it for now but this would be a hard one to get to and feel confident about it.

I will. It's just the location where it's cracked at. I'm not sure if I could confidently get in to cover it all good. I guess it's worth a shot to save money.