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sidewinder2 · 10-02-2010, 09:27 PM

I am traveling with a friend with a 1998 Damon with a Ford 460 engine. We were eastbound on the 70 coming into Denver when a coach in front of us caught fire and all eastbound traffic stopped. we were in a heavy climb and my friends coach stalled when he came to a stop. This is the second time this happened on this trip. We are out for three weeks to Michigan from California and back and we're hoping someone can recognize the problem and advise as to how we can fix it.

Wanabee FTer · 10-02-2010, 10:12 PM

I am not a Ford tech but if that happened to me I would clean and service the throttle body first, then go from there. It is fairly common for fuel deposits to build up inside the throttle bore and cause air starvation when rapidly decelerating. I believe there is also an idle/air valve for the fuel injection which may be dirty or faulty. Try adding a good quality fuel injection cleaner when filling the tank. Make sure to add enough as per the directions on the bottle so it can effectively clean the fuel system. Hope this helps and good luck.

sidewinder2 · 10-03-2010, 07:41 AM

When this happens, is there something we can do to make the situation better? Will fuel addatives help or is a mechanic required?

Wanabee FTer · 10-03-2010, 08:11 AM

You could try a fuel system cleaner like Chevron Techron 1st while continuing your trip to see if it improves. I think his Ford chassis has a 60 gallon gas tank so adjust amount accordingly.

txdutt · 10-03-2010, 10:59 AM

try a couple of cans of Seafoam fuel additive-did a check engine light come on when it stalled?

Wanabee FTer · 10-03-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txdutt

try a couple of cans of Seafoam fuel additive-did a check engine light come on when it stalled?

Seafoam fuel additive would be great if you can find it. If the stalling is being caused by a dirty fuel/intake system it probably will not set a check engine light on a OBD I emission system.

jcthorne · 10-04-2010, 11:15 AM

Its the idle air bypass solenoid. Usually just remove, clean with carb cleaner and reinstall with a new gasket. Its only two bolts. They get carboned up and stickey as the engine ages.

WBGrubbs · 10-05-2010, 12:17 PM

The Catalytic Converter may be plugged, or starting to plug as the case may be. If a Ford 460 is running rich and you get down stream burning the the material inside the converter will melt. It then becomes a self perpetuating problem. Eventually you will not even be able to start the engine, unless the vehicle sits `for a period of time.

Bill

Nick-B · 10-05-2010, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBGrubbs

The Catalytic Converter may be plugged, ...

Maybe, but the bigger GVWR class A 460 Ford chassis didn't have catalytic converters so that might not apply here. Definitely worth checking but I'm with JC on this one. Air bypass solenoid.

One other possibility is a flaky throttle position sensor but it would probably act up any time you dropped to idle.

Wanabee FTer · 10-05-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-B

Maybe, but the bigger GVWR class A 460 Ford chassis didn't have catalytic converters so that might not apply here.

That's right Nick, my '97 Ford F53 chassis originated From CA (the toughest emission control state in the U.S.) and came stock without cat convertor, only emissions part I have in the exhaust is the o2 sensor and thats a good thing!
'98 and later chassis is a different story with the introduction of OBD II and would most likely require a cat convertor on most applications.

PlayItForwrd · 10-09-2010, 12:07 AM

There's 3 ways to stop an engine:
kill the spark
stop the flow of gas
stop the air flow--

Considering it's a modern FI engine, and it seems to run okay most of the time:

spark isn't the problem--
Injectors don't just shut off--
ergo, that leaves an airflow problem.

Since there's no cat to stop the OUT flow, then the problem is IN flow...

did someone mention the idle bypass?

dalek_56 · 10-10-2010, 04:00 PM

also see if there is a dashpot controlling the butterfly valve on the T-body. its a vacuum controlled diaphram that keeps the butterfly from slamming closed when the throttle is released. it slowly closes the valve so the abrupt change doesnt stall the engine. IF you have one, a simple vacuum test will show if it works...or if you have vacuum leak. i cant remember if/when they quit using these.

Wanabee FTer · 10-10-2010, 07:26 PM

Dashpots are mainly used on carburated models, EFI engines use an air/fuel idle solenoid.

speed racer · 10-11-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcthorne

Its the idle air bypass solenoid. Usually just remove, clean with carb cleaner and reinstall with a new gasket. Its only two bolts. They get carboned up and stickey as the engine ages.

This is the correct answer(idle air compensator)(IAC) just remove it and clean with carb cleaner and replace with new gasket.