Intermittent hard starting when hot

[TJmanmtem]

Hello fellow jeepers!
My 04 tj wrangler X model has been hard starting after I run it for a while. I drive over to town or wherever, & when I go to start the Jeep, it takes 3-4 tries of cranking till it fires up. I replaced the fuel pump with a Bosch, replaced CRANK SENSOR, I don’t want to keep throwing parts in it& hoping for the best, I am a mechanic & mechanicaly inclined, I do not have the tsb bulletin about the heat wrap, but I don’t necessarily think that’s the problem. Anyone have any guidance or ideas what it could be? If you have any ideas, please provide me testing procedures as well.
THANKS!

 

[crashore]

I had a similar situation and noticed that the temperature gauge was showing cold when I tried to start it, even though it should have been warm. I tapped on the temp sensor near the water pump gently with a screw driver and temperature popped up and it started normally. Probably a long shot, but easy to verify and rule out.

 

[TJmanmtem]

Ok I’ll give that a try, thanks

 

[Chris]

Try this... when you start it up, turn the ignitor on to let the fuel pump prime (but don't start it), then turn the ignitor off. Do this 3-4 times, each time letting the fuel pump prime.

Then go to start it. Does it start right up?

If so, I forget the name of the part, but @Jerry Bransford has mentioned it before, and I believe it's the drain-back valve or something. I can't recall if it was part of the fuel pump assembly or not though.

Hopefully Jerry will chime in, as I'm not 100% sure what that part was called. I probably need a FAQ on this, since that issue seems to be very common on these things.

 

[TJmanmtem]

I tried that, still no change, I’m at a loss with it, I have tested the entire fuel system, (leak down test) on both injectors & pump, both tested within spec

 

[alittleoff]

Have you checked the spark plugs or maybe a loose connection near the OPDA?

 

[Daryl]

Hello fellow jeepers!
My 04 tj wrangler X model has been hard starting after I run it for a while. I drive over to town or wherever, & when I go to start the Jeep, it takes 3-4 tries of cranking till it fires up. I replaced the fuel pump with a Bosch, replaced CRANK SENSOR, I don’t want to keep throwing parts in it& hoping for the best, I am a mechanic & mechanicaly inclined, I do not have the tsb bulletin about the heat wrap, but I don’t necessarily think that’s the problem. Anyone have any guidance or ideas what it could be? If you have any ideas, please provide me testing procedures as well.
THANKS!

You said the crank sensor was replaced. What brand did you use? Have you ever replaced the camshaft sensor?