04 GP GT2 starting issues

[jpdubrall84]

Every single morning or after an 8 hr night at work my car will start perfectly fine. BUT, if I try to start after it's been sitting for a couple hrs it will first crank and almost start but then die and after that it will just crank with no sign of any ignition. If I push on the gas a little just to open the throttle a smidge it'll start with out hesitation. Does this every time since I bought it about 3 months ago. It's the only issue with the car. It's the only problem with the car and has no codes. Is this a possible fuel pressure problem or TB/MAF issue?

[FordMan77]

You need to remove the entire TB and clean it. This is a well known issue w/ the 04+ cars. Make sure you use something that is made for TB's or you will eat the coating off the inside. They sell MAF/TB cleaner at most any parts store for a few bucks.

[blueguy]

Meh, I used brake clean.

It gets the job done lol

[jpdubrall84]

Hey thanks guys, I kinda figured thats what it was. Just wanted a second opinion. I probably should do a tune up this weekend while I'm at it. I'm only getting about 24mpg per tank of gas and I drive about 50 miles a day on the highway 5 days a week. Is that about average on a N/A 3800 with just over 112,000 miles on it?

[NegativeOne13]

That sounds about right. If I do long trips (highway) I get about 22/23 but other than that I get a solid 20 mpg. I always gotta fill up after about 300 city or 320/330 highway.

[blueguy]

Dafuk...

I get 25-30 cruising on the highway in my big cam/heads M90 build...and if I'm nice to it...I've pulled about 425-450 out of the tank when I took it on a road trip. Also, before you tell me I have better cruising gearing in my GTP...my built transmission has 3.29's...same gearing as N/A cars.

I'd do...

Plugs/Wires
Oil/Oil Filter
K&N Drop-In Air Filter
PCV Valve
Seafoam it.

[jpdubrall84]

Yea I was kinda thinking that too Blue.

I thought about the K&N drop in too. Might just go with a throw away though. Don't wanna spend the money on a K&N when I plan on getting a K&N cold air. It's the first thing Imma do for performance, then I thought about going with headers and exhaust. Does the Magnaflow 40 series mufflers have a good solid sound on the 3800's? And what do you think about taking cats off the exhaust?

[blueguy]

One cat...not more than 1...K&N's cold air is also a waste of money...

Also...for headers I'd say Speed Daddy's...and they don't come with a converter anyways. Magnaflow's sound fine...you just want to stay away from chambered mufflers like Flowmaster or Spintech.

Also...click the link in my signature for modding advice, it takes you through the basic bolt on stuff as well as camming, turbo, etc...for all the heavy hitter builds.

[jpdubrall84]

Hey thanks Blue.

That post is most helpful. I've been wondering where people are getting all these aftermarket parts for their 3800s but my question was answered. Thanks again.

[blueguy]

I notcied your somewhere in Iowa as well.

We are having a huge meet May 13-15...so don't be afriad to stop by and say Hai

[jpdubrall84]

Yeah, I read about that last week. I was really thinking about swinging by too. Finances aren't allowing me to make that trip this year. I'm from NWstern Iowa just 25 miles north of Sioux City. So it's about a 4hr drive to Cedar Falls. If I don't make it this year, I sure hope it's put on next year as well. I'd like to make that an annual thing every summer.