Dead in Deming

[Bobski12]

Second trip out in "new to us" 1993 Class C Minnie Winnie, Ford 460 Engine. After about an hour, started losing power going up hills and as we approached our exit, hear a couple "popping" sounds. At bottom of exit, make a right turn only to have it stall out and it won't start - stuck in underpass. Luckily, in right lane with another lane so people can get around me.

The former owner told me that this happened once, again in a hilly area. She was told it was vapor lock; I doubt it with an EFI engine. The Deming, NM, police were very nice, pulling behind us so we don't get rear ended, and calling a tow. By the time it got to the shop, it did re-start but I left it there for analysis.

It's at the shop till Monday. I'm guessing fuel pump. I see a lot of fuel pump issues with that vintage Ford engine.

Thoughts?

[hawkeye1995]

Well, if it restarted, it could have been vapor lock. any hot air around fuel line can cause a vapor lock. Something to think about. If fuel pump went bad, I don't think it would have restarted, but you could be right. Just don't leave out all your options. Hope they get it fixed. Safe travels. Let us know what fixed the problem.

[jackfish]

Try the BBQ at Elisa's House of Pies & Restaurant. You get there by the alley off of Spruce.

[jacwjames]

My SIL had a similar problem with her Suburban, driving on hot days the vehicle would stall/stop. After an hour she could restart. Had the fuel pump replaced and it hasn't done it again.

My vote is for fuel pump.

A shop will charge an arm and a leg to replace but the fuel pump itself is probably less then $50.

My suburban started to get hard to starts so I replaced the fuel pump in my 1989 GMC suburban for $35. Took me about 3 hours to replace, never had done one before.

[Bobski12]

Luckily, only about an hour from the house, so my daughter was able to pick us up.

I would rather it was the fuel pump if the vapor lock ends up being an on again/off again thing. Too dangerous.

Regarding doing the work myself, the pump is in the gas tank, not external. So no way to do it myself.

Thanks.

[bill06447]

If there is uncertainty I would replace the ignition module first, a $60 part and maybe an hours' labor to replace. These don't last forever either.

[jacwjames]

My fuel pump was in the tank.

I drove the Suburban till it showed 1/8th tank, backed it up on some ramps and dropped the tank, disconnected the fuel and electrical and pulled the tank. Pulled the old pump out and drained the tank. Replaced the pump and then put the tank back in. Filtered the fuel I drained out of the tank. Not a hard job.

If you know a good shop they should be able to do it and not charge you an arm and a leg.

[schrederman]

Often, even though the fuel pump replacement fixes the problem, it's really the in-tank filter. I'd like to replace the fuel filter on my wife's 7-year-old car, but it's part of the in-tank pump and can't be separated. Besides, that way they can charge you more...

[jacwjames]

My fuel pump came with an in tank filter. $35 Ebay, my best friend.

[Mekanic]

change that fuel filter first. its on the frame. "poping" or backfiring up in the intake is what happens when the engine starves for fuel and goes lean.

[TQ60]

Also learn where a pressure point on the fuel rail is and carry a can of starting fluid


If and when it dies again...

Try to start and if no "fire" spray starting fluid into air intake while helper tries to start.

If now some fire then issue is fuel.

If still dead then issue is ignition.

If issue is suspect fuel then knowing where pressure point on fuel rail allows easy test for pressure.

Also listening for pump running helps but pump usually fails in non running situatiin.

Before tossing parts...

Check fuel pressure on rail both with key on no run and with run idle and with high idle.

NOW change filters and other maintenance items and remeasure.

If now more filters needed to be changed but no guarantee that was issue.

[YC1]

That is indeed around the years where the in tank fuel pump failure was very common. Make sure they replace any hidden inline fuel filters. Mine had one hidden along the frame rail under the driver. It was really plugged.

[VegasFoodGuy]

Originally Posted by Bobski12

Second trip out in "new to us" 1993 Class C Minnie Winnie, Ford 460 Engine. After about an hour, started losing power going up hills and as we approached our exit, hear a couple "popping" sounds. At bottom of exit, make a right turn only to have it stall out and it won't start - stuck in underpass. Luckily, in right lane with another lane so people can get around me.

The former owner told me that this happened once, again in a hilly area. She was told it was vapor lock; I doubt it with an EFI engine. The Deming, NM, police were very nice, pulling behind us so we don't get rear ended, and calling a tow. By the time it got to the shop, it did re-start but I left it there for analysis.

It's at the shop till Monday. I'm guessing fuel pump. I see a lot of fuel pump issues with that vintage Ford engine.

Thoughts?

Ford had a lot of trouble with fuel pumps in the 90s, even factory replacements were bad. Might be your problem.

Terry

[Bobski12]

Fuel pump. All ready for pick up.