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Automotive/'88 Ford F-250, 351W, 4x4, fuel problem
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Question
My 1988 F-250 4x4, has a 351W engine(fuel injected), automatic, and dual tanks. I was driving it early one morning, and it suddenly began to sputter and died. I normally only run on the front tank, and keep about 10 gal of gas in the rear tank as a reserve. (There is an electrical problem with the gauges, so they are useless). As soon as the truck started sputtering, I switched tanks, but didn't think it was out of gas because it hadn't been that long since I'd filled it. The truck started and ran for about a minute and died. Then wouldn't restart. About 10 minutes later it restarted, ran for about a minute and died again. I did this several times, and if I attempted to drive it when I would finally get it to start, it would die immediately. It made no difference which tank I tried to use. I went to the parts store, picked up a fuel filter, a rail mounted auxillary pump, and took a couple cans of gas back with me. Added a can of gas to each tank, replaced the fuel filter and tried again. No joy. Replaced the rail pump and still no luck. Finally gave up and towed the truck home. I can hear the in-tank pumps come on, but I don't appear to be getting any fuel up to the rail mounted pump. I now suspect that the switching valve is the culprit. Does this sound like a logical conclusion to you? Or, is there something else I ought to be checking for. I have not been able to find this part from an aftermarket supplier, and Ford wants about $150 for it.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Dan
I don't have info on your "newer" (compared to my 78, at least) rig, but do wonder if a valve that likely seldom gets switched over may have suffered a fragmented seal and thereafter blocked the output portal of said valve so that you could not get sufficient fuel flow from EITHER tank. "No joy" is the right way to put it - such a problem would definitely be a "source of rectal distress", aka , a pain ... etc.
I wonder if an autowrecker can supply a newer valve in better shape from a wrecked newer vehicle. Otherwise, I wonder if a kit is available by which to rebuild the valve. Rebuild kits for such things were plentiful at one time.
Good luck ... my sympathy is with you ... EGK
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for a timely response. It matches with similar advice I received from a friend with more automotive knowledge than myself. He suggested that the switching valves on those models were prone to seal problems and getting stuck in the middle, so that the fuel either just circulated or pumped from one tank to the other. He also advised buying one from salvage, but that they were not rebuildable. I appreciate your help in reinforcing this analysis. I will likely just fork out the money for a new one from Ford, and hopelly not have to worry about it again. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Ernest (Ernie) Kenward
Expertise
The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!
Experience
A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping.
Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD.
My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it.
The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!
Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities;
SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318;
Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies;
have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.
Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC
Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities
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