Hi Scotty,

I have been having a problem for a couple years with my 2010 Ford Escape Limited, 3.0L V6 AWD (Flex). When I first turn the key to start the engine from a cold start, it starts right up, with only about 2-3 cranks of the starter. However, after driving it for 15-20 miles, then stopping (say to go into a store), and coming out, the engine takes 7-10 cranks before it will start. I took it to my local Ford dealer who checked the fuel pump pressure, took it for a road test and told me 'everything looks fine. We can't find any problem, but if you want us to go ahead and start replacing parts we can do that! (I declined). I did check on the internet asking this question and in one YouTube video, they provided a tip to help diagnose the problem. Here is what I found - if I turn the engine key to the first position so that the dash lights up (and fuel pump turns on) but not all the way so engine doesn't crank, and I do that 2-3 times, on the 4th time, the engine starts right up. So seems like I'm lacking fuel pressure on first attempt to start when engine is hot. I was going to just buy an EOM fuel pressure sensor and try replacing that, but I couldn't even find where that was located in the engine. The car has only 27K miles, mainly city driving, and has not had any other problems in the 10 years I've owned it (bought it new). I'm retired now, so do only short trips, in town driving, rarely going on the highway. Any help is appreciated  - the dealer's mechanic was a total waste of time. 

Thanks,

Bob Needleman