[Cudos]

Has anyone experienced what they might perceive as hard starting? more so when warm, cranking over for about 3 seconds before starting rather than firing right up. I definitely have noticed that a different times it takes much longer to start.

Cheers

 

[Cross Bolt]

No problem here, with the I-4 Milan.

 

[alrob25]

When I start my vehicles I normally wait 5-10 seconds for the full pump to prime then start that car. Just a little advice that my father had given me over the years but I haven't experienced hard starts in my fusion when I was driving it.

 

[turtlem227]

Nope, take it in, let them check it out.

 

[xcr440sp]

What are you running for Fuel? If you aren't running it try running 87 octane fuel and see if it makes a difference. Ford has Fusion (and 90% of the other vehicles) calibrated for 87 and if you run higher octane it adds a small delay to the starting time that will be most noticible in hot or cold temperatures.

 

[pegair]

I've noticed two thing about starting my car.

(1) Occasioanly it doesn't fire right up. I release the key and it's dead and I have to do it again. It starts right up the second time. My previous car almost never did this. Could be me I suppose. I prefer the GM system. You flick the key and the car turns over till it starts. Ah well, can't have everything.

(2) Occasionally if left to sit for a few days it makes a growling sound in the first second after starting. Quite scary the first time I heard it. Does this most of the time, but not all the time after sitting. If/when I can reliably re-produce it I may take it in.

 

[Cudos]

I am running 87 octane, I'm going to take it in when I get back from Montana.

 

[xcr440sp]

[quote author=PegAir link=topic=47439.msg737491#msg737491 date=1148578230]
I've noticed two thing about starting my car.

(1) Occasioanly it doesn't fire right up.  I release the key and it's dead and I have to do it again.  It starts right up the second time.  My previous car almost never did this.  Could be me I suppose.  I prefer the GM system.  You flick the key and the car turns over till it starts.  Ah well, can't have everything.

(2) Occasionally if left to sit for a few days it makes a growling sound in the first second after starting.  Quite scary the first time I heard it.  Does this most of the time, but not all the time after sitting.  If/when I can reliably re-produce it I may take it in.


[/quote]

If your noise is a loud agressive growl it is probably the A/C compressor. I haven't heard a Fusion do it yet, but most of the other Ford's do and it is quite a scary noise the first time you hear it. Here's the message Ford put out on this problem (quite a while ago)

15697 NORMAL CONDITION: MOMENTARY GRUNTING SOUND
SOME VEHICLES WITH AIR CONDITIONING UTILIZING R-134A MAY EXHIBIT A MOMENTARY GRUNT/POP AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SOME TIME & THE COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED BEFORE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS WARMED UP. THIS IS DUE TO LIQUID R134A BEING PUMPED OUT OF THE COMPRESSOR. R134A WILL TRAVEL TO THE COOLEST POINT (THE COMPRESSOR) ONCE THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN TEMP BETWEEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT & THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. WHILE MANY VEHICLES HAVE PCM STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS BY REPEATEDLY CYCLING THE COMPRESSOR ON START- UP, THIS MAY NOT TOTALLY ELIMINATE IT. REPLACING A/C COMPONENTS WILL NOT ELIMINATE THIS. COMPONENT DURABILITY IS NOT AFFECTED. MINIMIZE THE NOISE BY TURNING THE A/C SYSTEM TO VENT BEFORE EXITING, & IN MILD AMBIENT TEMPS (APPROX. 50-75F) WAITING A FEW MINUTES BEFORE TURNING ON THE A/C OR DEFROST.

 

[pegair]

Most cool, thanks!

:goodjob:

 

[Cross Bolt]

[quote author=xcr440sp link=topic=47439.msg739179#msg739179 date=1148656184]
[quote author=PegAir link=topic=47439.msg737491#msg737491 date=1148578230]
I've noticed two thing about starting my car.

(1) Occasioanly it doesn't fire right up.  I release the key and it's dead and I have to do it again.  It starts right up the second time.  My previous car almost never did this.  Could be me I suppose.  I prefer the GM system.  You flick the key and the car turns over till it starts.  Ah well, can't have everything.

(2) Occasionally if left to sit for a few days it makes a growling sound in the first second after starting.  Quite scary the first time I heard it.  Does this most of the time, but not all the time after sitting.  If/when I can reliably re-produce it I may take it in.


[/quote]

If your noise is a loud agressive growl it is probably the A/C compressor.  I haven't heard a Fusion do it yet, but most of the other Ford's do and it is quite a scary noise the first time you hear it.  Here's the message Ford put out on this problem (quite a while ago)

15697  NORMAL CONDITION: MOMENTARY GRUNTING SOUND
SOME VEHICLES WITH AIR CONDITIONING UTILIZING R-134A MAY EXHIBIT A MOMENTARY GRUNT/POP AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SOME TIME & THE COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED BEFORE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS WARMED UP. THIS IS DUE TO LIQUID R134A BEING PUMPED OUT OF THE COMPRESSOR. R134A WILL TRAVEL TO THE COOLEST POINT (THE COMPRESSOR) ONCE THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, DUE TO THE DIFFERENCE IN TEMP BETWEEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT & THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. WHILE MANY VEHICLES HAVE PCM STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS THIS BY REPEATEDLY CYCLING THE COMPRESSOR ON START- UP, THIS MAY NOT TOTALLY ELIMINATE IT. REPLACING A/C COMPONENTS WILL NOT ELIMINATE THIS. COMPONENT DURABILITY IS NOT AFFECTED. MINIMIZE THE NOISE BY TURNING THE A/C SYSTEM TO VENT BEFORE EXITING, & IN MILD AMBIENT TEMPS (APPROX. 50-75F) WAITING A FEW MINUTES BEFORE TURNING ON THE A/C OR DEFROST.


[/quote]


xcr440sp :

Are they using a fixed orifice tube in these newer systems?

 

[green_fusion]

I run 95 octane in mine and it starts right up everytime. I have the 4-banger, but I did test drive an SEL V-6 last year and it didnt' start right up, took about 5 seconds and then it vibrated horribly for another 5 seconds after it started. It had been sitting on the lot for a month and a half without being moved.

 

[Metallicat]

I think the car that I purchased sat on the lot for a couple of months. It has a build date of February but I purchased it in April. When I first got it, I noticed that it too would not always start right up but that cleared up after my first tank of fuel. I think water condensation in the tank was to blame. I use 87 octane in mine.

 

[cos]

No starting problems with my 2.3.

I took delivery of mine right after it was built (this month). Hell, I checked the build date on the tires (4 digit code on sidewall) and they were made (in Mexico) days before I picked up the car!

 

[bartman1]

I have a remote starter on my SEL V-6. Occasionally when remote is used, I hear the growling sound mentioned in this thread. Originally I though the remote was sending a second start signal to the car computer, but now I realize it's the R134 liquid in the compressor being pumped out.

Since the SEL has an auto climate control, the compressor must be on automatically when the car needs it. Other than turning the auto climate OFF before exiting the car, I guess it's just a noise I'll have to live with. Nothing to worry about, I guess.

Thanks for posting the information - it puts my mind at ease about the strange "noise".