hot start issue

302fordracer

New Member
Mar 27, 2004
738
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Vancouver, WA
ok my car is starting to have trouble starting when engine is hot...It has only happened twice in the last 6 weeks though...I have to have been driving alot that day for it to happen...car runs good and pulls fine when running though..the two times it has happened it was over 85 degrees outside as well..It seems to me that when it happened yesterday it was running strong all day up until the last time I drove it it seemed like 10 hp was missing...like you could tell it was just a tiny tiny bit slow..anyhow it left me stranded at a video store yesterday I got a ride home and went back an hour later and it took me three tries but it started on that third try..any ideas? I have been suspicious of the fuel pump for awhile now because I have the mods I have running stock timing with the fuel mixture bumped up a bit (SCT tune) running 92 octane (and even a couple of times when it was really hot outside with 108 octane booster) and it still pings a tiny bit on hot days and I have done everything except the pump to fix that problem..
 
I haven't been able to check that because when it has left me stranded I have been without any sort of tools...all I can tell ya beyond my last post was when starting I get the sound of it trying to start (engine turning) and the one thing that makes me doubt it is the pump (fuel smell) so prolly not...lol not sure what ignition parts would you think could be to blame?
 
Toss a spare spark plug in the car. Next time it happens, remove a plug wire from a spark plug and put your spare plug in the wire. set the threads of the spare plug on the upper intake and crank the motor so you can see the spark jump the plug's gap.

And toss the codes - that might give a clue.

Good luck.