Ok I went and picked up my 94 F250 4.9 2wd AT 108.000 mi
I have a few ticky tack things to fix.
But what I noticed right a way was how hard it was to start. At first...
Turned over for a extended bit of time with no action. Then it started to sputter a bit like 3 or 4 times.
Then she took off.
Once started she purrs like a kitten, fantastic oil pressure. Nice and smooth running.
Turned her off and she started right back up right away zero issues.
Off and on about 7 or 8 times no issue.
I figured well maybe its just because it had sat for a while.
Drove her home 150 miles. Nice smooth uneventful drive.

Well the next morning... Same issue very hard to start but great after the first start.
I am smart enough to know that wont continue. Eventually I am going to be walking home with the truck on the side of the road.
I would like to preempt that scenario.
What direction would those symptoms be sending me?

 

First thing is to check codes even if the check engine light isn't on.

You can pick up a code reader for about $25 at the autoparts store. You can also read the codes manually -- it's posted on the 1987-1996 board how to do it.

 

Is that a OBD1 or obd2 reader? I have a OBD2 reader.

 

OBD-1 I have this one

 

Thanks mark.
I have that coming.
I went out a couple days ago and it would not start. Just turned over.
I did get a fuel pressure tester and I went out this morning to test it.
KOEO it read 45psi.
KOE running it bounced right a 45 pounds.
Funny thing it started right up this morning.

Spec I guess is 45 -60 pounds. So 45 is at the bottom end. I suspect the pump is on its last legs ether way.
I do have a new pump module coming.

 

Did you test the regulator to see if that is why the fuel psi is at the lower end of the spec?
Dave ----

 

No i did not.. How do you test it?

I was dinking around with it a bit today. It started right up and I took it for a drive and she worked great. No stuttering when you accelerate.
I had noted that before.
I did note today while it was running and I was looking around trying to figure out how I am going to get the tank down. Two things I noted.
I need to replace a spring hanger. :-/
I also noted the fuel pump makes allot of noise. Its howling pretty good and pretty constant.

But I still would like to learn about the fuel regulator.

 

Wish I could tell how but I have never done it but I do know when checking fuel on a EFI system you need to check pump & regulator to see want one could be bad.

I havea John Deere garden tractor with EFI and had surging issue when it got hot. The JD book had you checking fuel psi at the end of the system so no way to tell if pump or reg was bad. Talked to JD service and they told me how to check it.
Found pimp would heat up make noise and then stop pumping and motor would stop.

So if your pump is real noisy it could be on its way out.
Dave - - - -

 

I am just going to replace them both. No need to dink around I will just play R&R man.

 

Loud fuel pumps are a sign they are close to end of life.

EFI 300s need 55-60 psi in the fuel rail to run properly. You may also have a leaky injector, that is losing the prime in the lines for the first start of the day.

On the first start of the day, try turning the key to run, listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 seconds, then back to off. Then turn the key again. If the priming works, you could do that as a workaround until the pump(s) is replaced.

 

Holy cow is removing that rear tank a pain in the butt. looks simple since everything is right in front of you.
But it is not.
I have it mostly off now. Had to take many breaks to keep the big hammer from coming out.
I also noticed the opposite spring hanger has a hole in the bottom not completely shot like the other side.
But since the tank will be out and I will have easy access to the rivets. Might as well replace both of them while I am in there.

 

Did you pull the box off?

 

Got- R- Done.
Replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, and both spring hangers. Plus had to cut the exhaust pipe to get the tank to drop.
She seems to be running fine now. Put about 60 miles on her and no hesitation when I give her the groceries now.
Have to try the cold start in the morning, obviously the first start after the pump and filter a took a few cranks to get fuel in the system.

 

well that did not solve the hard starting. Back to the drawing board. Fixed some things that needed fixing but still need to hone in on the real problem.
I had not replaced the fuel pressure regulator yet. So I will try that next.
Thing I find of interest, yesterday after changing the pump and the filter. No fuel in the system. It started much easier than today.
It actually has not started yet. i have the charger on it. But it was getting ready to pop.

 

Update:
I think I have her licked. I gave her a tune up, and replaced the fuel pressure regulator. When I took off the old regulator I had noticed the gasket was missing a section.
I think that was the cause of the hard starting. But the old plugs were very worn.
Any way, its been a couple of weeks and the truck has been starting and running fantastic!!!