97 taurus starting problem

I have a 97 taurus that I use on a mail route. After driving for several hours, if I go to start it after it sits idle for about 20 minutes, it will turn over but not start. After trying several times it will hit and not run. After trying about 7 times, it will finally start and run, however it starts like it is flooded, missing. After about a minute it will quit missing and run nomally. It doesnt blow carbon out the exaust like it is flooded. Acts like it is vapor locking, however I have tried refueling just before shutting it off and cycling the ignition key several time before starting, neither helped. Another mail carrier has the same problem with a 96 taurus and the check engine light is not comming on.

Do you have a way to measure fuel pressure when the car won't start? It sounds like since you suspect it may be flooding, you may be getting enough fuel. One thing to try if you suspect it has plenty of fuel is to crank the engine a few times, and if it doesn't start, hold the throttle all the way to the floor (WOT). This will shut the fuel pump off. If the car starts easily this way, then it sounds like it is flooding and you either have weak spark, a faulty fuel pressure regulator, out of range coolant temperature sensor, etc.

If holding the throttle at WOT doesn't help, then you need to check for spark and vacuum leaks. You also should check your air filter, Mass AirFlow (MAF) sensor, and crankshaft and camshaft position sensors. If the DPFE sensor is faulty, it could cause an issue during startup and idle. All of these items have been covered numerous times in numerous threads, so I won't go into details here. That is what the "Search" feature is for.

You may also want to try holding the throttle just barely open to see if that makes a difference. If so, you may have a faulty idle air bypass system, either a bad IAC servo or restricted passages.

-Rod