I have a 2001 F-150 that lately it will not start right up I will crank it for 5 sec or so and it will not start but today I discovered that I hear a gargle noise after cranking it so I tried to crank it again before the gargle noise and it started right up on the second crank and started fine the rest of the day this has happened 4 or 5 time in the last month. can any one help? I am thinking maybe fuel pressure regulator just guessing

 

Basic things first - plugs, fir/fuel filter, clean MAF, clean IAC.
Then check for vacuum leak.

Fuel pressure regulator is easy to check. Remove the vacuum hose and connect a plastic hose to it and smell. If you smell gas, the diaphragm is damaged.

 

Thanks I will try all that and update after. the plugs are new replaced 16000 miles ago thay should have another 84000 miles to go.

 

Not if you didn't use Motorcraft plugs.

 

Do you really mean there is a difference between Motorcraft plugs and what I buy from WalMart? This is an honest question because all my cars have "Walmart plugs."

Since the car is running most of the time, see if you have codes. On my 97, I didn't know CEL light bulb was gone. I found it only when the pickup failed to start. I know it's a low probability.

 

Never seen a "Walmart" brand plug............

 

Good guess. On occasion a fuel pressure problem may cause difficult starting. A difficult re-start (when hot or cold, after the truck has been stood only for a few minutes) and LTFT is persistently negative at idle, whether or not a P0171 and/or P0174 has been recorded - then suspect the fuel pressure regulator is faulty - causing fuel rail over-pressure.

If the engine is difficult to start when cold and the LTFT is showing a consistent positive LTFT - whether or not P0172 and/or P0175 is recorded then suspect that the pressure regulator is not pressurizing the fuel rail properly and the injectors are unable to provide enough fuel.

Also keep in mind that cannot crank these engines more than 4 seconds. After 4 seconds the PCM shuts down the injectors to protect the converters.

 

Yea neither have I

 

Probably autolite, autolite platinum, bosch or possibly champions.

 

NONE of which should be used in a Triton V-8.

 

The long crank time is classic low fuel prressure.
Test the pressure with a gage on the fuel rail fitting for that purpose.
Do the test after the truck has set enough time you think the start will be difficult.
Attach the gage first, then switch ignition to 'run' only, do not crank.
What is the gage reading?
If below about 20 psi, cycle the ignition several times.
What is the pressure?
If not up to at least 35 psi, you have a pump issue.
Low pressure at the beginning of cranking will extend the crank time until the pump builds full pressure.
Don't waist time on spark plugs etc because it won't help starting.
Good luck.

 

Thank all of you. I cleaned and checked everything and all was fine so I replaced the fuel filter and that was the end it would not start so I removed the new filter to see if put in wroung and forgot to release the line pessure and to my surprise there was none. so I replaced the fuel pump. now it runs like a kitten.