03 Expy won't start the first time

2003 Expedition Eddie Bower 4WD Triton engine. This truck hardly ever starts on the first try. Most of the time it will start on the second. Battery replaced...still does it. My brother has an 06 F150 with the same motor and his does the same thing. Has anyone heard of this problem and is there a fix?

Doers it start and die? Or just won't start? Does the engine crank over normally?

Not to hijack this thread but hate to make a duplicate....

My '03 EB does the same it sounds like. 5.4l. Cranks and cranks and cranks and after about 10-15 seconds sputters a little as it's trying to catch and then finally kicks in with a little stumble then all is well and runs great...until the next time.


Haven't had much of a chance to try and troubleshoot it...ideas anyone?

flewthecoupe. Try turning the key to the "on" position for ablut 2 seconds. Then turn it off. Repeat about 3 or 4 toimes. If truck starts quickly,check to see if fuel filter is partially clogged. If filter is OK, more than likely the fuel pump is getting weak.

Thanks, I replaced the filter, not much pressure in the line. Ran some Seafoam through the intake and put the rest of the bottle in the tank. It almost feels like an injector is leaking and losing pressure in the fuel rails.

thoughts?

I'm just not ready to throw a $260 fuel pump at it. If I cycle the key twice it fires right up.

If an injector is leaking off, you will notice a rich exhaust smell on startup or you will see the excess fuel burning at startup. My guess will still be the pump. If you can get a fuel pressure gauge on it, check the pressure readings when cold. When the key is turned on, the pressure should jump up to 42 to 46 psi almost immediately. If it slowly climbs, the pump has bled off and needs to be primed to get thre proper pressure. You can also buy just the pump and not the entire pump module. It takes a little more work, but may save money. Dissamble the module, carefully, and take old pump to parts house and see what you can get to match it. Most of them use Carter fuel pumps.

Cool, thanks, i'll check the pressure and go from there.

Thanks again for the advice and help,
Michael

Hey Moser,
It's been a while since your initial post, but I was curious to know if you found out what the problem was on your Expedition. Can you please post it. I'm having the same problem and I already changed the fuel pump and filter. My next tip was to change the IAC valve. Thanks.

IAC valve was my solution with problem start-ups on my 2001 Expedition 5.4L.