2005 Expedition long crank, multi crank, sometime runs

[ArcticAthlon]

So i have been troubleshooting this starting issue and i am now at a loss. It started with it taking a longer crank for it to fire and then it would hesitate a little but fire. then it progressed to not starting during the first crank and needing 5 plus cranks to finally fire. Sometimes it would fire, but would sputter and then stall out. During that time, if i were to press the gas pedal, it would not rev the engine and still just die.

I started to replace the easy and cheap things first which was
1. The Fuel Filter. did not fix it. ($15)
2. Then i replaced the Fuel pressure sensor ($35) on the fuel rail and that did not fix it.
3. Then i replaced the Fuel Pump Delivery Module, which did not fix it. ($60)
4. Then i brought it to my mechanic friend who said it was either the fuel pump or the fuel pump relay. We replaced the Fuel pump ($75 for pump, $125 labor) and that seemed to fix it, but a day later the symptoms continued.
5. I now replaced the Cam position sensors ($18 x2) and that did not fix it, if anything it got worse. now i have to crank it longer and more often until it fires. When it does start, sometime is sputters and dies, and other times it fires up like nothing ever was wrong and I can drive it all day long. The security light stays off, when I try to start it, so i don't think that the anti-theft is the issue. My mechanic said that he does not think it is spark related, as he said that he was able to spray ether and it would then fire. Which is why we thought it was fuel pump related.

So here we are. I love the truck and it runs good otherwise, but I am not sure what else to fix. Does anyone have other suggestions on things to check?

 

[stamp11127]

There are two ways to repair modern vehicles. One is to toss parts at it, the other is to diagnose it. Scan for codes first.

The engine needs 3 things to run - air, fuel and spark. One of them drops out and it quits.

Even though you have thrown parts at the fuel system you still don't know if the fuel pressure is within spec. Once it is determined that the pressure is correct and you still have the problem move on to air or spark.

 

[1955moose]

As stamp stated, you and we need to know if their are any dtc codes, along with proper fuel pressure. Your friend should have done both of these before dropping tank, to replace pump. Depending on yours and your friends capabilities, this may be something you can repair. Keep us posted what you find.

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