I have a 98 Max with ~141K miles... it starts easily when the engine is stone cold or when it's hot (running temp or close to it), but if the engine temp is warm (more towards cold) it just cranks and cranks. After a few tries (without touching the gas pedal) I can smell gas out the tail pipe.

I've noticed if the temp gauge is within a quarter of an inch from C (cold), the car won't start. Leave it sit until the temp is below the gauge C line, it starts as if there are no problems.

The car runs great otherwise, still getting 30+mpg on the highway...

The water temp sensor (up front (tough to get at)) has been changed. Is there another water temp sensor?... or???

Thanks,

dersh.

 

There are 2 water temp sensors. One provides the signal to the temp gauge, the other (closer to the block) gives the signal to the ECU.

You might have a bad crank sensor, there are two of those as well. POS and REF.
Check those, you might have one that's a bit off at a certain temp.
Cleaning the sensor tips from debris also helps at times.

 

I get this same effect with mine. Seems to start up right away when cold or hot. After it sits for an hour or two, takes a lot of cranking to get it to fire off. Always starts eventually, but it's been this way for as long as I can remember, and I've had my '97 SE 5spd for 12 years. Has 145K on it now.

 

thanks for the replies I'll take a look at the crank pos sensors, but both were changed a year and a half ago for another problem (turned out to be leaking intake).

thanks,

dersh.

 

could the egr temp sensor cause this problem? It's been awhile since the pipe was cleaned out.