2007 Mercury Montego
Bought it used a few years ago with 140xxx miles. Now around 172xxx. Ever since we bought it, it has struggled with an occasional extended crank before starting. Back during the early days of covid lockdowns, I changed the fuel filter and thought that helped it a good bit. But recently I drove the car (usually my wife drives it) and realized that it had gotten pretty bad again. So I changed the filter a second time with no success.
Unfortunately this particular vehicle has no schrader valve on the fuel rail to check the pressure. And no easy way (for me) to tap into it. I did monitor the fuel pressure PID in Forscan and, according to the pressure sensor in the rail, it did not seem to be a fuel delivery problem.
On a whim, I pulled the MAF sensor and lightly tapped it on the airbox. Some fine dust particles fell out. I had a new can of MAF cleaner on hand so I gave the sensor a liberal cleaning. Reinstalled sensor and it has been starting just fine since then. (2 days so far) I can't believe it was that simple. I'm suprised the sensor was dirty enough to cause problems starting but yet there were no other driveabilty issues.
Bought it used a few years ago with 140xxx miles. Now around 172xxx. Ever since we bought it, it has struggled with an occasional extended crank before starting. Back during the early days of covid lockdowns, I changed the fuel filter and thought that helped it a good bit. But recently I drove the car (usually my wife drives it) and realized that it had gotten pretty bad again. So I changed the filter a second time with no success.
Unfortunately this particular vehicle has no schrader valve on the fuel rail to check the pressure. And no easy way (for me) to tap into it. I did monitor the fuel pressure PID in Forscan and, according to the pressure sensor in the rail, it did not seem to be a fuel delivery problem.
On a whim, I pulled the MAF sensor and lightly tapped it on the airbox. Some fine dust particles fell out. I had a new can of MAF cleaner on hand so I gave the sensor a liberal cleaning. Reinstalled sensor and it has been starting just fine since then. (2 days so far) I can't believe it was that simple. I'm suprised the sensor was dirty enough to cause problems starting but yet there were no other driveabilty issues.