Hi All,

I'm new to this forum so a shoutout to all! "What’s up!!"

I'm not a pro mechanic but haveknown enough about cars to work on them for the past 25 yrs, so know my wayaround them pretty well (old school anyway). My apologies if I ask or soundstupid about something, but I prefer to sound stupid for a couple of minutes,than to be stupid forever by not asking.

I have a 2001 F150 XLT Supercab,4.2lt, automatic, 2WD.

I was able to start it about amonth or so ago but it was really hard to start. I had to use starting fluid toget it started, and it was still tough to get it to start, but once started andwarmed up it ran fine.

Now I tried to start it again andit kicks over and wont start. I tried the same with the starting fluid and italmost starts and dies. I think I used a little too much starting fluid becauseafter a while of trying and spraying starting fluid, I got a hard backfire thatsounded like a shotgun that was strong enough to pop off the MAF Sensor andthrow it about 10 feet. I nearly crapped my pants! It looks clean and undamagedbut I hope I didn’t damage the MAF Sensor when if hit the ground.

The truck sounds like itsstarving for fuel, so I’m not sure if the fuel pump relay is going or has gonebad, or if its the fuel pump. Any ideas of how to check these items withoutmaking it a huge project to diagnose?

Once I can get it to starteasily, I have a couple of questions about the trouble code that keeps comingback P0174. That was the original problem with it before the starting problem.The diagnostic says that it is lean in bank 2 but a mechanic friend of minesaid something about a vacuum leak.

Thanks,

SF58

 

Ah, hey SF, LOL.
Your the second one to post about using starter fluid.
DON'T DO THAT, PLEASE!
Look up a recent thread called "blew up my airfilter assembly" and read it please.
You can get hurt doing this.
.
Check out the fuel pressure using a gage on the test port located on the fuel rail.
Put gage on, turn ignition key to 'run', look at gage.
Does it begin to show any pressure?
If no, do the same thing several more times.
If you don't see at least 35 psi, the pump has failed.
Start here then go to other parts that have a part in starting, if need be.
Lastly, address the air leak in the intake tract for the 174 code.
Let us know how it goes.
Good luck.