Now here is a question I have that I have not seen a answer to. I have a 1987 f150 5.0 4 speed. Now for the question. Can my truck run off of the high pressure pump only? Here is the problem I am having. When it gets hot out side the truck will run fine till the motor gets to reg running temp, then it will die or fall on its face. If I act fast and push in the clutch and pump the gas pedal, I can keep it running. It will spit and back fire for a few but will come back around and run good. Then it will do it all over in 10 to 15 mins. If it dies it will not start with out turning the key off and on about 10 time. I put a new fuel filter on and when I pulled the line off of the pump side of the filter it sprayed all over me. I dont know if it should have that much pressure. Any ideas would be great. I am at a total loss.

 

First, welcome to FTE! I would suspect the TFI module. Does the truck have a tachometer? If you have a tachometer, watch it, it goes crazy when it is acting, then you definately have an ignition problem.

 

Yes it has a tach, the only thing it does is drop to no rpms and it works as it should the rest of the time. thanks for the welcome and reply.

 

When it drops to no rpms, is this during the time it is acting up? If it is I think you have your answer. The distributor mounted TFI modules eventually fail from heat.

 

I will get a new in the morning and try that out. As long as I can keep it going the tach reads. So I dont really know whats going on. But I dont see where it will hurt to replace it.

 

Okay today I replaced the tfi and the truck is still dying. I dont know where to go from here. The truck runs fine till it gets to regular operating temp, then it just wants to die. The only way to get it to start again is to cycle the key over and over. Even then it is really hard to start. It has all of the symptoms of be vapor locked. When you turn on the key you can here the pumps running. So where do I go from here. Oh yea I replaced the tps also, about a week ago trying to fix the same issue.

 

Can you borrow a fuel pressure gauge and check the pressure when it is doing this? Dumb question, have you replaced the fuel filter on the frame rail? It is just in front of the high pressure pump.

 

Yes I did replace it last week. It was way full of crap. Thats when I got sprayed all over with gas.

 

Sounds like junk in the tanks.
You need to drop them and clean them if they need it.

 

I was looking at the truck today and the exhaust is blowing right on the fuel filter and it is getting so hot you cant even touch it.

 

Well there is your problem your boiling the fuel in the filter.

 

That was my thought too should be cool enough to go work on it now. I hope this fixes it. Will let you know the outcome. Thanks guys.:-)

 

How in the heck is the exhaust blowing on the fuel filter, last time I looked at my son's his exhaust crossed under the oil pan and exited on the right.

 

cooling fan is blowing the heat from the exhaust right over to it I think the truck is running lean. the drive line for the 4 wheel drive, the fuel filter and the fuel pump or all hot. so hot you can't even touch them. its the only thing I've come up with so far that makes any sense. There are no leaks, so I dont rightly know for sure.

 

Hopefully someone can help me diagnose my troubles. I have an '89 E250 5.8L. It's been sitting for about 9 years, but I was told it did start when I got it. It started for about 20 seconds, now nothing. The relays click, I've replaced the fuel filter and the high pressure pump on the frame. I'm not getting any fuel at the rail (checking using the schrader valve.) I can't hear if the in tank pumps are turning on or off.

When I use the selector valve, the fuel level gauge changes (both tanks are near empty, I've put bout 5 gallons in each) Would the no fuel delivery be the in tank pump not working, or the selector valve being stuck? I don't want to put too much gas in either tank just in case I have to drop it. Maybe I've overthought this after reading about the selector getting stuck on the rear tank.