Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
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New User
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Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
I have an 89 bronco with a 302. Sometimes the truck just does not want to start. It will take up to 15 minutes of cranking (not continuous of course) before it will fire up. Sometimes if I floor the gas pedal it will start quicker, other times it will start like normal, as if there was nothing wrong. Could these be symptoms of a clogged fuel filter or something else? If it is the filter, how do i depressurize the system so i dont get sprayed when I pull off the lines? Thanks for the help.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Warren, MI
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
Stick you head in the engine compartment or at the tail pipe and tell me what you smell.
If nothing, then thats a "better" thing.
The fuel filter is easy to change.
If Gas, it could be:
1. IAS
2. CTS
3.IAC
4. Also of other sensors :-p
If nothing, then thats a "better" thing.
The fuel filter is easy to change.
If Gas, it could be:
1. IAS
2. CTS
3.IAC
4. Also of other sensors :-p
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
Trip the inertia switch (probably on the firewall just below the steering column) and crank the engine a few times to depressurize the fuel lines, but it sounds more like your fuel pressure regulator (FPR) is leaking gas into the intake, flooding the engine. It's the chrome disk on the chrome fuel rail with one red vacuum line going to it. Pull the line and see if gasoline comes out. You can look it up here. If that's not it, pull the codes.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Warren, MI
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
I had that problem, i was getting about 5 MPG, the FPR was shot and was going crazy...... took me about 600 dollars in parts before I went to that "non-computer" part.
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Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
I talked to my brother, who has been driving the truck more often than I have, and he said anytime it doesn't start, he just floors the gas pedal and it will start up every time. So I guess the ability to floor it and make it start is more than just every now and then. Does that change what could be the problem?
So to check that FPR, I pull the red vacuum line and look for gas, if I see it, I need a new FPR? I will check that hopefully tomorrow. Any other ideas? Thanks!
So to check that FPR, I pull the red vacuum line and look for gas, if I see it, I need a new FPR? I will check that hopefully tomorrow. Any other ideas? Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
Flooring the pedal during cranking on a Ford SHUTS OFF the fuel injectors - that's how you clear a flood condition, just like on a carb. (Good design by Ford, huh, making it so intuitive? 
) That's just further evidence that you have gasoline leaking into the intake somewhere. It doesn't show WHERE it's leaking in from - YOU have to track that down.
) That's just further evidence that you have gasoline leaking into the intake somewhere. It doesn't show WHERE it's leaking in from - YOU have to track that down.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
When you turn the key over can you hear the fuel pump kick on and off. if the pump stays running then the fpr is not working properly keeping the correct fuel pressure in the lines.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
whats up it could be you are getting to much fuel because when you try to start it you might be fludding it out that why it takes a little wile to start because the engain has to dry out first an when you hit the gas pettel down an hold it it cut off the gas from going to the engain so it wont fludd it out so it will startso look at you therottel linkedg it might be stuck or just pulled back to far an it giving you to much fuel
alos check out my forum i got in here to its called no spark
alos check out my forum i got in here to its called no spark
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
Originally posted by Kemicalburns
if the pump stays running then the fpr is not working properly
if the pump stays running then the fpr is not working properly
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Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
So if the FPR only works when the engine is running, will that test only work if it's running? I pulled the red vacuum line and turned the key to "ON" and no gas came out. I did not, however, start the engine. If I don't need to have the engine running to perform this test, then it looks like the FPR may not be bad. We also replaced the fuel filter to no avail. Any other ideas? Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
The FPR can MALfunction (leak) without the engine running, but it can't regulate the fuel pressure without the vacuum from the running engine. If you had no leak, it's probably OK. Look elsewhere. Did you ever pull the codes?
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Sometimes doesn't start, bad fuel filter?
I also had a similiar problem in my 86. But, after a bunch of troubleshooting, and fighting with gas related problems, i finally replaced my coil. Its been 2 months and I havent had the problem back, so im pretty confident that was the problem. I was getting spark from my coil, but im guessing it was too cold of a spark, which was burning the fuel right and causing the motor to flood itself........just my 2 cents