While testing the fuel pressure you can start the engine and stop it and observe how long it takes the pressure to drop. Try starting the engine and if it doesn't start note the pressure reading. Once the engine does starts note the pressure reading. With an assistant observing the pressure gauge snap open the throttle and observe the pressure gauge. If the pressure doesn't go up when you snap the throttle open you may have a bad fuel pump or a leak in the vacuum line to the pressure regulator. If the pressure reading goes up you have another issue that is causing a lean off idle condition like a vacuum leak.

Awesome. It feels good to not be alone! :rofl:

Finding a pattern has been tough. I think I'll start documenting my start and stop times to see if I can find the pattern. I feel that when the car is warm and it starts after a couple of tries, then I shut it off and try again it will still struggle to start.

The car does always start, it just takes some time. Sometimes it takes 2-3 seconds of cranking sometimes it can crank for 5 seconds and won't start until I try again. Usually 2-3 attempts.

I'll review your threads, thanks for sharing them.

Nice! I'll be following your recommended steps this weekend. Once I do, I'll post my results. Thank you!!

Any luck?

Just had my valve cover gaskets and CCV replaced and threw these codes on the way back from the picking it up.

Hi Hudjase,

Not yet. I haven't done the fuel pressure testing as described in this thread. I pretty much parked it until I have time to dig into it further. I plan on doing the fuel pressure and scanning with a Gt1 this Sunday. So I should have more updates Sunday evening.

Best of luck on Sunday,Curious to hear what you find out, the service engine light has been on more than off over the last year and that's even after replacing the engine.
Looking forward to you update.

Thanks for the reply btw... It's the worst when your reading a thread and someone's having the same issue and the thread just ends....crickets �� hahaha

Totally agree. I won't let this thread die till it is solved!

Exact same issue with my 3.0/6spd... had an independent shop look at it, and they tested everything they could (MAF, fuel pump, etc...) and found no solution to the problem. Please let us know if you figure this out... its the only issue I have with the car!

Thx

Hi Guys,

Not much to report. Driving the X5 a little more and have found a sure way to start it every time. For warm starting, I turn the key to crank for 2-3 seconds, turn it off and the second start up has worked like a charm every time.

I tried the rental fuel pressure test kit from O'Reillys on Sunday. The schrader valve attachment did not fit well on the fuel rail. There just wasn't enough threads on the attachment to get a good seal. The valve attachment was listed as a Ford schrader attachment. I then checked the AutoZone kit and it was the exact same set. I read that people have used teflon tape to get a better seal so I may try that and just buy one from HF.

I also scanned it this weekend. The good news is that helped me fix an intermittent misfire issue. I thought it was related to my starting issue but it pointed to a possible bad coil. Swapped out the coil and so far so good on the misfire issue.

I'll post again once I have the fuel pressure test done.