stumpfoot

I have '90 2.3 that has sat for 2 years. It's being a real pain to start. I tried the search function on the forum but its not working...I even tried the word "mustang" and it said it had no hits...so I am starting a new topic. Anyway, before starting I changed the plugs and oil and checked cap and rotor, they seemed good. It will eventually start and when it does it seems to run fine. But it's a real bear getting it started. I was just wondering if I could get some ideas on what to check to see why it's so hard to get started. I don't think it's the gas, I remember it started doing this before it got parked.

skitz

when you say hard start, do you mean the starter really has to put its back into it or it just takes a long time to start but the starter is doing a good job of cranking?

Babybudistmonk

Assuming it just takes a long crank time to fire...

If it runs well once fired, we'll assume spark or air isn't an issue. Sounds like your not getting fuel when you first crank. What kind of fuel pressure are you getting at the fuel rail? Can you hear your fuel pump prime when you turn the key? Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator. Is it wet? Smell gas?

Is your CEL on?

If it seems like your starter is over working itself, we'll get to that after we hear back from you, but from what you had mentioned, sounds like its just taking a while to fire up.