So i'm bringing my thread up again, I before stated that my issue was solved and it was, for about a month. Now i'm back to the same old stuff, hard starts and poor idling. I can not really classify when it does it temperature wise but here are vids of my truck starting, the first one is the first, actually 2nd start of the day, i forgot to record the first but sounds pretty much the same. The second clip is what I deal with after I drive it somewhere and let it sit for a min, it happens close to every time. The only time I can start it with maybe 85% confidence is after I fill it up (after the first start that is). I know it is as simple as air, fuel and spark. I before had it hooked up to a fuel pressure gauge for about a week and pressure was all good. Spark plug wise, the spark is good, I checked the cap and rotor and they look "okay" closer to good than bad. I peaked in the throttle body and it looked okay from what I can see, I did also smell fuel, is that okay?

During start ups, giving it some gas only works about 1 out of 5 times and when it does catch, I have tried giving it gas to avoid the rough idle but the rough idle then occurs after I let off.

I have read lots of threads but I am yet to find the exact same thing so please don't tell me to "search" and once again, any help is GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thanks!!

 

I have also concluded that the smell of fuel that I previously mentioned is coming from the tail pipe. So I do not think fuel is the problem, unless you classify it as too much fuel in which case it is a problem.

 

After that much cranking.. i wonder how are the plugs??? are they fouled?? and if you smell fuel from the tail pipe im starting to think you have a spark problem. and the 3.0 distributors are know to go bad from time to time. i replaced mine and it helped my idle a bunch. just my .02

 

Well the plugs are new but maybe I'll check them after a good crank like that. One mechanic suggested changing the distributor but I didn't want too with out a logical reason. I'll see about getting one at pick n pull and see what happens. Can I ask why you think fuel smell from the exhaust suggests spark? I mean I guess it make sense, with that long of a crank the fuel is doing its job but the spark is holding it back.

 

lots of fuel out the tailpipe suggests to me that it has plenty of fuel but its not being completely burned. so a lack of spark is the problem in my head. im not a professional mechanic but ive turned a wrench or 2 and i slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night.....jk good luck and keep us posted

 

Did it just help your idle or did your all around start get better. I know te cap and rotor play a huge roll on starting but would the distributor just help the idle or would help the start, assuming that's the problem. Thanks again man!!

 

My truck does start a little bit better but I wasn't dealing with a problem like you are. My idle was slightly jumpy and was very obvious with a timing light. I would suggest you check the distributor per the FSM. Good luck

 

sometimes hard starts when warm are the precurser to a failing headgasket. Being its a 3.0, good luck.

 

Is there any way of testing the head gasket or would I have to just break down and rebuild it completely? And can a head gasket go bad for 8 months shouldn't I see a failure by now?