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slow cold crank


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O'Shay
Novice

Dec 9, 2013, 10:00 PM

Post #1 of 19 (2971 views)
slow cold crank Sign In

Hey. I have a 94 ford mustang gt 5.0 engine 113994 miles. I replace battery a week ago from 540 cca to 580. I replaced etc sensor also and plug are good as I was told. The problem is when it is cold or the car has sat for 5 or more hours, it spins but doesn't catch for a good 15 seconds. And when it catches, it kinda dies out and re-catches and finally cranks. It runs fine once it cranks and won't do it unless it sits for a while. What could it be. Thanks. Also I cleaned air way with a carb spray


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 3:08 AM

Post #2 of 19 (2943 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

Unsure of what you are trying to describe is happening. Sounds more like the starter drive in starter has failed but not sure of that yet either?

Does starter whirrrr away but not crank engine then by chance just grab and actually crank engine? Need to know that much to blame a starter drive.

Cold engine will make a weak one worse and more often. They don't heal if it is that it or whole starter has to go but diagnose it out first,

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 3:35 AM

Post #3 of 19 (2938 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

[

Quote
I replace battery a week ago from 540 cca to 580.


That's probably still not enough for a V8 in cold weather.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 5:01 AM

Post #4 of 19 (2934 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

I just spins fir a for a while then dies out and start up. Part store guy says batteris fine for weather. Change the starter


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Dec 10, 2013, 5:21 AM

Post #5 of 19 (2934 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

Retired and still own these engines but applies to any. For this run 800 CCA means it's that when new @ 32F, less when colder is available. Factor the speed of it cooling down while outdoors also. No breeze or wind engine heat helps for a good while. Keep in mind the CCA was the best it could test when brand new. It's in a constant state of less than that thereafter fractionally.

If you get a slow crank first and no start wait a couple minutes with everything off. Don't try too hard any try and know when to quit. That draw somehow can make it have just a tad more ummph next try?? KNOW THAT IF YOU ARE IN SERIOUS COLD IF YOU RUN BATTERY STONE DEAD TRYING IT WILL FREEZE AND FREQUENTLY CRACK IT OPEN! If so that one will never work again or while still in that vehicle will disable it.

Engine oils matter and synthetics can help. Use suggested oil range of viscosity unless wild exceptions all the time like about Point Barrow, AK!

All folks - carry at least a blanket and a few things for these extremes. If nowhere stay with the vehicle especially if lost. Better yet is not to travel if avoidable at all,

T



DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Dec 10, 2013, 5:22 AM

Post #6 of 19 (2931 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

We've got some mixed up terminology here; but what I think O'Shay is trying to say is that the engine is cranking (starter turning the engine) but it's not firing (starting).
With O'Shay saying, that when it does start it dies out and then "re-catches" and that it only happens after the car hasn't ran for a while "5 or more hours".
I'm thinking this is a case where the fuel lines are either leaking externally or the fuel pump check valve is allowing the fuel lines to siphon back to the tank.
On start up the fuel pump has to refill the fuel system, then pressurize it before the engine starts.

Get a fuel pressure gauge connected to the car and test the pressure (50-60 psi) with the engine running. Turn off the engine; the pressure should hold at least 75% of that pressure for at least 20-40 minutes. If the pressure drops off right away; check for external fuel leaks. If none found there a good chance the fuel pump check valve is leaking internally and the fuel lines/system are siphoning back into the tank.
It would be like starting your car for the first time, after it has ran out of gas.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 5:26 AM

Post #7 of 19 (2924 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In


Quote
Part store guy says batteris fine for weather. Change the starter


Oh yes, and we all know that the parts counter guys are totally trained experts. After all, he took shop class in high school................ twice.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 6:35 AM

Post #8 of 19 (2912 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

Thanks Dan. I'll do that after I change starter. Hopefully I can figure it out.


O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 1:46 PM

Post #9 of 19 (2887 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

If it is a leak. What will I need to get


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 2:05 PM

Post #10 of 19 (2879 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

Depends on what and where a leak is???
If this does turn out to be the fuel pump check valve; it'll mean a replacement fuel pump.
I still not sure of what is going on and why you're replacing the starter. When we say the engine is cranking that means the starter motor is turning the engine. Picture the old movies where you see a guy standing in front of his model T Ford with a crank in his hand turning/cranking the engine. That's all the starter motor does is crank the engine. You then need fuel & ignition for the engine to start; the starter motor does not supply that.
Another example is the pull rope on a lawnmower; you are the starter motor and when you pull the rope you are cranking the engine.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 2:08 PM

Post #11 of 19 (2873 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

So maybe I should just replace the fuel pump.


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 2:11 PM

Post #12 of 19 (2871 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

NO Maybe you should do some tests first.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 2:13 PM

Post #13 of 19 (2864 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

I did. I have the battery check and changed, fuel filter changed and starter tested and was told the starter is giving out and its worst when its cold outside.


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 2:17 PM

Post #14 of 19 (2860 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

OK with the explanation I gave as to what cranking the engine means; does you're engine crank when you turn the ignition switch to the start position?

Canadian "EH"






O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 2:29 PM

Post #15 of 19 (2843 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

I turns but doesnt crank. It does after 2 or 3 times of trying


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 2:40 PM

Post #16 of 19 (2840 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

You mean the engine turns but it does not start?

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






O'Shay
Novice

Dec 10, 2013, 2:46 PM

Post #17 of 19 (2828 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

Yes


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Dec 10, 2013, 2:52 PM

Post #18 of 19 (2827 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

OK now that we understand that the engine is turning (cranking) and not starting until you try it 2 or 3 times.
If this is the case there nothing wrong with your starter motor at this time. It's doing it's job of turning the engine.
NOW you're going to need to do the fuel pressure tests that I explained a few posts back.
I do not want you trying to change a few pump on a guess and that's all it is until it has been tested properly.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Dec 12, 2013, 8:39 AM

Post #19 of 19 (2794 views)
Re: slow cold crank Sign In

With Dan on this one, you need to test this. Most parts stores have a tool loaner program so you can get a tester without buying it. You just leave a deposit that you get back when you return it. Even a cheap fuel pressure tester will have the adapter Ford used on this one.

A new fuel pump for this is about a hundred bucks. Thats a pretty expensive thing to throw at it without knowing if it is bad. If that didn't fix it you've done all that work and burned a benjamin and will still be in the same predicament. Testing it is easy, inexpensive, and the only way to go.






 
 
 






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