I have a 2000 explorer 4wd 4.0 sohc. I have replaced the fuel pump/filter, plugs and wires, and a new injector. Yet for some reason it is being hard to start you have to crank it for 10-20 seconds before it starts. If I push in the valve where you hook a fuel prressure guage too, and have someone turn the key the fuel doesn't pump out....someone has to turn the key for 10 seconds or so trying to start it before the fule spews out. I think it might be the fuel pressure regulator that is faulty and letting the fuel bleed back into the tank has anoyone had this problem or know what this might be??? thank so

 

could it be the starter?

 

if you turn the key to the on position and then hit the valve does it spray? I also could be a bad crank position sensor.

 

It's not the starter. It doesn't spray fuel untill you have cranked the motor over for around 10 sec