My buddy's 05 4.6 is hard to start. If he hops in and cranks it it just turns over and trys to start spittin' and a sputterin'. If he hops in, turns the ignition on and waits for a minute it fires right up. Is this a low fuel line pressure issue or do you think it's a fuel pump. He said his last f150 did the same thing (heritage with the 4.6) and he put a external fuel pump on it by-passing the pump in the tank and it solved the problem. He's wanting to do the same with this truck but I advised him to hold off on that idea until you know exactly what the problem is.

Any ideas? Thanks

 

You need a fuel pressure gauge to check this theory out. However, I'd change the fuel filter on general principle.

 

Any other thoughts?

 

Autozone has fuel pressure gauges in their loan-a-tool box.

 

Ok, we changed the fuel filter last night and it was pretty dirty. After the R & R the truck started just fine but it was still warm. He just got here to work and said it did the same thing this morning. If we get the fuel pressure gauges and it shows low pressure, would that indicate a pump?

 

Not necessarily - it could be the fuel pressure regulator.