Hard start, #3 misfire, 3.5l

[eman6398]

I have a 2013 no turbo 3.5l. For about a month now, my explorer has been hard starting, but it eventually starts. It runs fine after it starts. I thought maybe a fuel pump, but i can actually smell gas thru the exhaust. It's also pulling a misfire on cylinder #3 on start up. But no CEL. I replaced the plugs, and it started well the first few times, then went back to hard, starting most of the time. I did take a look at the intake and cylinder bore. I dread its a head gasket leak for the differences between cylinders. Could a bad injector do this? Any experience or wisdom on this issue? Im thinking of bringing it into the dealer as if it is, i dont have the facility to pull the engine.

 

[BadHabit]

If you have a fuel smell in the exhaust, wet cylinders, hard start, I am willing to bet your fuel economy has dropped in the past month as well.... I would look into your fuel pressure regulator. Sounds like it's allowing too much fuel, or if it's only cylinder 3 that is wet, look at that fuel injector. It may be stuck open.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum eman6398.

Peter

 

[eman6398]

thanks! these sites have been so helpful over the years for doing your own mechanic work.

 

[eman6398]

If you have a fuel smell in the exhaust, wet cylinders, hard start, I am willing to bet your fuel economy has dropped in the past month as well.... I would look into your fuel pressure regulator. Sounds like it's allowing too much fuel, or if it's only cylinder 3 that is wet, look at that fuel injector. It may be stuck open.

I haven't noticed a drop in mileage, I think I will swap out the injector and see if anything changes. And as far as a fuel pressure regulator I believe that is in the pump inside the tank which is not as easy and cheap to do. Also if it were a fuel pressure issue wouldn't it misfire on multiple cylinders on start up?

 

[BadHabit]

It could, I just read your first post kina quickly. Figured I would give all possibilities. Never know what could go wrong. The #3 injector could still be weak, and a faulty regulator that is allowing say an extra 25psi could be causing that injector to leak. While replacing the injector, I would run a fuel press test, just to see where you are at on pressure. I'm driving right now, so I do not know what the specs are off hand.

 

[onestout]

normally it is cheaper in the long run to take to someone that knows how to diagnose an issue vs just throwing parts at it. First thing I would do is hook it up to the computer and see what the trim tabs are doing for each cylinder then go from there.

 

[eman6398]

To follow up on this. I replaced the #3 cylinder injector a few days ago and so far has been starting strong and running well. I guess it makes sense if the injector was leaky relieving the fuel pressure in the lines while it sat for a long time creating a hard start while build up fuel pressure? I also remember getting a strong gas smell while removing the upper intake. Is this common? On to the next broken part. Door lock actuator!