[emath]

Ok, after a ton of reading, I came to one conclusion. One of my biggest problems was my IAC sensor. Looks like I need to replace that.

Another problem. In trying to figure out what was causing my startup problem, I changed my fuel filter. Fired right up. Ran great that night....

Now my problem... The next day it wouldn't start at all. It cranks, but it won't turn over. After I try starting it, I smell gas, but it comes from the rear of the car. I can't find any leaks, and can't pinpoint the exact location of the smell of gas.

Now, I am not sure if it is a problem with the filter, or how I installed it, or something else.

Could this still have anything to do with the IAC, or do I have another problem now?

Any ideas?

A former Ford dealership mechanic thought it was the IAT, or MAF sensor gone bad, or a bad connection. One of my other mechanic buddies (drives and works primarily on mustangs) thinks it lost it's spark.

Thanks in advance for any info guys

 

[emath]

Start with the obvious: Try resetting the initial fuel shut-off switch. Is the filter installed with the corect "flow" direction? Crawl under the car and make sure it's not installed backwards and that the arrow points toward the lines going towards the front of the car.

Well, reseting the switch was one of the first things I did.

We made sure of the flow of ths filter that same day (plus it fired up and ran all night afterword as mentioned in the first post).

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

 

[emath]

I hate to be a pest, especially being a new member and all, but does anyone have any advice. When two mechanics advice was wrong, any other help would be GREATLY appreciated. I am kinda in a financial bind, so I will try anything...

I mean, if it cost big money, it does, but if I can save myself a trip to the dealership, only to find out it's something simple... Thanks guys.

 

[emath]

You smell gas at the rear of the car because unburnt fuel is exiting your exhaust pipes as you try to start the engine and it doesn't fire. I agree with your Mustang buddy, its not getting spark. What kind of car do you have? Year, engine, etc.?

2001 GT (4.6L of course). It is an automatic :doh:

I got it to start today, but now I am dealing with the problem of it stalling right away. I am gonna replace the IAC tonight, since I now know that is the problem I have been having the past few months. As far as what was happening the past few days... Like I said, it is starting now.. Maybe I can get it over to that guys house to look at it now that it starts.

Thanks for the advice, and anymore is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[emath]

I changed the IAC (luckily I was able to find one at Autozone. The dealership was closed, and no one else around here had one. It was the last one they had)

Anyway, it is running like a dream now. Not sure if the bad IAC was causing it to not start at all the past few days, or if it was/is something else, but for now it is running great.

Thanks for the help both in this thread, and throughout the forum.