96 Escort Wagon LX Won't start when warm

[fritcr]

My wagon will sometimes crank for a long time before starting after it has warmed up. Seems to happen when I have driven it then shut it off for a few minutes or so then try to restart it. It always will start but sometimes takes 2 or 3 tries to get it to start again. Any ideas why? I'm good with cars and fix stuff if I know what the problem is.
Rob

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by fritcr

My wagon will sometimes crank for a long time before starting after it has warmed up. Seems to happen when I have driven it then shut it off for a few minutes or so then try to restart it. It always will start but sometimes takes 2 or 3 tries to get it to start again. Any ideas why? I'm good with cars and fix stuff if I know what the problem is.
Rob

have you checked for spark when it is in the no start mode? when was the last tune up? stop by autozone have them check the computer. When was the last time it was tuned up? also check got good fuel/flow also check the ignition contol module

[fritcr]

It was just tuned up with new plugs and wires. It don't really do this long enough to check anything. It will always start. It almost sometimes acts like and old car with carb that is flooded. I even pushed the gas pedal down a bit the otherday when it did this and it seemed to help. I don't know much about Ford's. I'm a gm man myself but got this escort kinda by accident and it was cheap. I had to pay off some credit cards so I sold my beautiful Prelude and now I have this POS wagon:-(

[chevyn0va1]

Originally Posted by fritcr

It was just tuned up with new plugs and wires. It don't really do this long enough to check anything. It will always start. It almost sometimes acts like and old car with carb that is flooded. I even pushed the gas pedal down a bit the otherday when it did this and it seemed to help. I don't know much about Ford's. I'm a gm man myself but got this escort kinda by accident and it was cheap. I had to pay off some credit cards so I sold my beautiful Prelude and now I have this POS wagon:-(

I know what ya mean thats how I got my escort. Cheap great gas mileage.

How about your fuel filter have your replaced that? its cheep and easy took only a few minutes to do but you got to squeeze your arm hand there( if you dont want to take stuff out of the way) Let me know

[fritcr]

Well that was also done with the tuneup. The lady I got it from just spent over $300 on it for the tune up and some brake work. She shut it off in drive and got out and it rolled down the hill and hit a rail busting out the back hatch. I bought it for $230 and put a used hatch on it. It runs great except for this hard start thing just every once in a while when the engine is warm.

[chevyn0va1]

still would like to know about the fuel filter. Your positive it was replaced not just her word? Try spraying the throttle body with gumout/throttle body cleaner. (like you would a butterfly choke) I heard that the fuel cut off can overheat maybe if it was in a hit like you mention the fuel cutoff may be acting up?

[fritcr]

It for sure has a new fuel filter on it. I have the paper work where she had it done and I can see it and it is all shinny and new and belive me....under the hood of this thing is NOT shinny and new! hahaha
I will try the throttle body cleaner. I had not thought of that. I have some at home already. I had to do that to my wifes Bonneville. It was kind of sticking a little.

[mlw35405]

There is a service bulletin on the mass air flow sensor causing hard starting/long crank times when warm. Do a search and see if you can find anything on Google. Mine had the same problem once, and the SES light never came on. Had to replace sensor.