I have a 2002 Ford Focus zx3. I have talked to three mechanics and they have no idea what’s wrong. Here it is. The car runs perfect and quiet. Except, when I drive for a long time or in hot weather. When I park for a short time, it does not start up. I have to sit for 30 to 45 minutes, then it starts and runs perfectly. It is not overheating. According to gauges, everything is fine. Tried to have it towed in when the problem occurs, but by the time I get it there it is fine.
First you have to define “does not start up”.
Do you mean that the starter cranks the engine, but that the engine will not start and run under its own power?
OR
Do you mean that the starter does not crank the engine–in other words, no sound from under the hood when you turn the ignition key?
Don’t know if it is the same problem, sounds the same as our 03 windstar ended up needing a new fuel pump for the same condition. After 2 tows where it started right up at the dealer I had my wife talk to the dealer so they would be ready for her if needed, and had her stop at the dealer every time she passed by. They had been pre warned and when the no start at the dealer happened the fuel pump was found to be the problem. Hope this helps.
This sounds like “vapor lock” from the old carburator days. With modern cars running electric fuel pumps the pressure of these systems should preclude vapor lock. Perhaps your fuel pressure is too low. Or, your fuel system routing is allowing excess heat near your fuel line.
Vapor lock is gas vaporizing where it still should be a liquid. The vapor will not react the same as the liquid fuel. It was common in cars of the 50’s and perhaps 60’s but rare now. Just a thought. I had an old flat head Ford '52 that we carried a jug of water to cool off the fuel line when the car would die in an intersection on a hot day in the DC metro area.
We’ll pretend tha you said it cranks normally when it doesn’t start. Is that correct?
The problem seems to be dependent upon engine temperature and what? Let’s pretend that it’s flooding. To un-flood a fuel injected car is just like with a car with a carburetor. As you are cranking the engine, hold the gas pedal to the floor, as the engine starts, ease up on the gas. Try this. If it works, let us know and we can go on to step 2.
My bad, I forgot to mention this part of it. The car starts up, the RPMs go up, then it dies. Now, I can keep it running if I hold the gas, but as soon as I take my foot off to hit the clutch, then it dies.