Hard starting when warmed up. It starts fine in the morning but after driving home for lunch, sitting, and I go to leave, it takes about 3 cranks of the key about 15 secs or so to get it fired up.

A little background:

2000 5.4 VIN L
149000 miles
3rd owner so no idea of maintenance, parts replaced etc.
265/75/16 tires


I got a set of plugs to change and after reading some things here about the time it takes to get in there to them, I am gonna do a injector change too at the same time. With 149k on it, it's bound to need at least a few changed.

On a side note, can the transmission downshift points be changed in the ECU? I get a HARD downshift sometimes and it seems to shift once and then immediately again. I plan to do a fluid and filter change on it soon.

Thanks

 

Add a fuel filter to the list, I dunno about actually changing the injectors, try injector cleaner first along with a new filter. The battery- maybe get a new one (if original) or at least clean the posts. I like to use stuff called brake caliper and dielectric silicone on exposed electrical pieces, battery posts definetely. This crap works great and needs reapplying every 2-3 years. Do the starter connections too as they are prone to failure, under the red cap. Not a bad idea to change the fluid and filter of the tranny. I'd see if any or all of these tips help. Cleaning the intake, IAC, EGR etc can make a huge difference too. People anymore just put gas in these things, maybe the odd oil change so leave no stone unturned. Just assume the bare minimum maintenance was done. Since this is I assume a new to you truck, have or check yourself all suspension components, tie rods and ball joints specifically.

 

with the summer heat. the fuel gets so hot in the fuel rails that is becomes vapor and pushes the liquid fuel back in the lines, when u start it up and its hot all u pump in is vapor kinda called vapor lock it just takes a few seconds before it pumps fuel back into the lines. mine does it every year same time.

 

Actually, I just changed the fuel filter hoping to eliminate the problem. It has gotten worse lately since the temps have been over 100 for more than a month now here in TN, so I suspect you both may have good points. I thought about vapor lock but thought FI didn't vapor lock. I have had the truck about 8 months and have done a lot of things.

Done so far:
Brake pads F/R
Rotors F/R
Shocks
Numerous oil changes
fuel filter
air filter
new front seat cushions
fixed the blinky odometer
replaced the roof console/display (temp/compass quit working)
new tires/wheels
Magnaflow Cat back single out system

soon to be:
new plugs
new injectors ?
trans service
new diff gears from 3:55's to 4:10's
new Ford OE carpet
and I'm sure I'll think of more.

The suspension seems to be pretty tight. Overall, I love this truck and can see keeping it for a long time.