hope you can point me in the right direction. My 1998 f150 4.6 has had this issue for the past few years. On the initial start in cold weather my truck will start/die. If it does happen to start the idle is low and if I hit the gas it will die. If I hold the pedal down slightly it will start and after a few seconds the idle will go up like it should 1700 or so rpm and then down to 1200. After the first start of the day it is fine. Opinions?

 

Bump my 2000 5.4 started to do this and I'm lost on what to check

 

I would be willing to bet that if you check your fuel pressure that you have little or no pressure in the lines. Then after you try to start it the pressure is there from just attempting to start.

It comes from pressure being bled out of the lines when it sits. If you have no gas smell under the hood it's probably the pump. If you have a gas smell under the hood check the schrader valve on the rail or maybe a leaky injector.