2001 Taurus-Intermittent Failure to Start

Hi,
Thanks for reading.
I have a 2001 Taurus. It's got 50,000 miles, 6 cyl, fuel inj.
Every so often, it won't start. The starter is working, and the engine tries to crank. But, the engine won't catch. It seems like fuel isn't getting into the cylinders.
It also happens when i don't keep the key turned in the ignition, keeping the starter running. If i stop the starter too quick, then the next time the engine won't start. If i don't try to start the car again for 3+ hours, then it will start.
Do you know why the car won't start after i failed to keep the starter running long enough the first time? And why it then requires me to not try to start the car for 3+ hours?
thank you.
Bob hank

Hi,
Thanks for reading.
I have a 2001 Taurus. It's got 50,000 miles, 6 cyl, fuel inj.
Every so often, it won't start. The starter is working, and the engine tries to crank. But, the engine won't catch. It seems like fuel isn't getting into the cylinders.
It also happens when i don't keep the key turned in the ignition, keeping the starter running. If i stop the starter too quick, then the next time the engine won't start. If i don't try to start the car again for 3+ hours, then it will start.
Do you know why the car won't start after i failed to keep the starter running long enough the first time? And why it then requires me to not try to start the car for 3+ hours?
thank you.
Bob hank

I suppose it's possible that your fuel pressure regulator is not working and/or you have a leaky fuel injector or two. When you don't crank the car over long enough, the injectors release fuel into the cylinders but don't have a chance to burn it. A bad regulator and leaky injectors could be allowing excess fuel to get into the combustion chamber. When you try to start the car again, the already wet spark plugs become saturated with the additional fuel and cause the plugs to foul. After sitting for 3 hours the excess fuel makes its way past the rings and the fuel on the plugs has time to evaporate.

I suppose if you have bad gas (watered down, old, etc.) it could cause it to take longer and a hotter spark to ignite the mixture. Check your plugs when the car won't start to see if they are wet with gas and to make sure the plugs still look good.

To recap, I'd start by checking the fuel pressure, condition of the spark plugs, and condition of the gasoline. When you are checking your fuel pressure, release the excess fuel into a glass jar and carefully store it for a day or so. See if you can see any separation occuring, like gas and water separating.

-Rod

Thanks Rod!
It happened again to me today.
I notice that it only happens when the car
is shut off for short periods of time (20 minutes or less).
For instance, if i stop the car to run into a store,
which takes 10 minutes.
When i come back, it's likely the car won't start.
It doesn't happen when i start the car in the morning,
or after leaving it in the parking lot at work for 8+ hours.


But, I haven't changed the spark plugs yet.
I'll check the fuel pressure, and change the plugs.
I appreciate your great response.

-bob

I suppose it's possible that your fuel pressure regulator is not working and/or you have a leaky fuel injector or two. When you don't crank the car over long enough, the injectors release fuel into the cylinders but don't have a chance to burn it. A bad regulator and leaky injectors could be allowing excess fuel to get into the combustion chamber. When you try to start the car again, the already wet spark plugs become saturated with the additional fuel and cause the plugs to foul. After sitting for 3 hours the excess fuel makes its way past the rings and the fuel on the plugs has time to evaporate.

I suppose if you have bad gas (watered down, old, etc.) it could cause it to take longer and a hotter spark to ignite the mixture. Check your plugs when the car won't start to see if they are wet with gas and to make sure the plugs still look good.

To recap, I'd start by checking the fuel pressure, condition of the spark plugs, and condition of the gasoline. When you are checking your fuel pressure, release the excess fuel into a glass jar and carefully store it for a day or so. See if you can see any separation occuring, like gas and water separating.

-Rod