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Author
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Topic: 460 EFI ?
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 7010
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-16-2001 10:52 PM
   
I have a '92 E-350 class C motorhome that has cost me two long distance tow bills in its life. Both times have been on long high altitude pulls when it gradually lost power and eventually died. The first time was about 15,000 miles ago at the Nevada/Oregon border. I had it towed 80 miles to Winnemuca, NV and changed the fuel filter. Fired it up and drove it another 300 miles home with no problems. The second time was last weekend coming home from Vegas. It was running fine then we pulled the pass out of Vegas on I-15s with the trailer and the stang in tow. It was 91 degrees outside and I turned off the a/c and we pulled the 6+% grade with the 8ton load for 15 miles and it gradually lost power and barely made it over the summit in 1st gear at 15 mph until it died again! It didn't overheat although it smelled "funny". I crawled under it and released the high pressure fitting on the 'out' side of the fuel filter and a lot of pressure was present! After bleeding it off the gas poured out with the ignition off.? The tow truck showed up and I had to run the lights so I started it and let it idle to the next town (30 miles). We spent the night in that ghost town, and at about 6am I fired it up power braked it and it seemed to run fine again! So I headed out again and it ran fine for 550 more miles towing the trailer and cruising 65-70 mph the whole way.  I did stop and buy a new filter, but didn't install it. So what do you guys think? Was it vapor lock? Was it a weak fuel pump? If it was a weak pump why did it have so much pressure in the fuel line? Was it something electronic? It has about 38K miles on it now. Help me Ford gurus please.  SteveW
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cpmaverick
Gearhead Posts: 1575
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 10-17-2001 12:18 AM
Is it a dual tank unit? Ford had a lot of problems with the switching of the units; they would fill each other up without getting any pressure to the engine itself when the unit fails. I haven't had any specific experience with the units but have read more than one TSB about them. Might want to call the Ford dealer and ask. ------------------
-Charlie Ping
1970 Maverick Grabber
[email protected]
Daily Driver
http://www.maverickgrabber.com
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 7010
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-17-2001 11:30 AM
Charlie,No it's just a single 36 gallon tank. Thanks for the tip though. SteveW
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timjk
Journeyman Posts: 56
From:
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 10-22-2001 11:38 AM
You might try replacing the ignition module. I beleive is replacing the TFI mudules for free?
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timjk
Journeyman Posts: 56
From:
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 10-22-2001 11:39 AM
Sorry. I meant to say that I think Ford is replacing them for free.
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cpmaverick
Gearhead Posts: 1575
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 10-22-2001 08:10 PM
TFI modules generally fail instantly, not gradual losses of power like steve described.Steve, Its taken a few days but I finally searched for a Technical Service Bulletin for your truck. Good news; here's what I found. quote:
FUEL SYSTEM - 7.5L - FUEL STARVATION CONCERNS (VAPOR LOCK) DURING EXTREME LOAD AND HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS -AVAILABILITY OF AN IMPROVED FUEL PUMP/SENDER ASSEMBLY AND AN IMPROVED SENDER ASSEMBLY Model - FORD LIGHT TRUCK 1989-1994 F series 7.5L
Bulletin no. 93-25-8
Date Dec 8, 1993 ISSUE: Fuel Starvation concerns (vapor lock) may result from extreme load and high temperature conditions or from contaminated fuel ACTION: An improved fuel pump & sender assembly and a revised fuel tank sender assembly (as a seperate part) are now available.
This was an F-series TSB, but I'm sure it applies to your E-series. I thought your truck was F-series based, sorry. I'll look into the E-series on Wednesday and see if they give any part #'s. ------------------
-Charlie Ping
1970 Maverick Grabber
[email protected]
Daily Driver
http://www.maverickgrabber.com
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 7010
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-23-2001 12:05 AM
Charlie,That's awesome!  You da MAN! Let me know what you find on the E series, and thanks again.
SteveW
p.s. I discussed it with the tow truck driver who was an old cowboy of few words, and said "I don't think it's vapor lock because it's fuel injected". He said "Ford's dooo"
I guess he's towed his fair share of rigs off that mountain.  [This message has been edited by steve'66 (edited 10-23-2001).]
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cpmaverick
Gearhead Posts: 1575
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 10-25-2001 12:53 PM
Steve, there is not a TSB on vans for the same problem. But I would bet your problem is vapor lock and would be solved with a new fuel pump assy from Ford (don't go aftermarket in this case!)
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steve'66
Gearhead Posts: 7010
From: Sonoma,CA,USA
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 10-29-2001 11:49 PM
Charlie,Thanks a lot! I think if it happens again I'll let it cool before calling for a big rig tow truck. Hopefully it won't, but if it does I'll change the pump. SteveW
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