I know that some of you have seen this one before. I have a 1990 F-150 XLT 4.9L that pumps gas from the rear tank to the front tank. Has anyone come up with a solution to the faulty check valves without buying a new fuel pump? Details would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

 

Bob,
My truck does the same thing. Very dangerous, especially when front tank overfills. Some here have told me Ford did a safety recall for this starting in '93 on select '90-'93 trucks. I visited my Ford dealer and they said bring in your VIN number so we can check the recall database. Haven't done that yet, but I hope they're still doing this recall. What they do is install some kind of check valve between the tanks, but don't replace the fuel pumps. I've also read that when crossfilling occurs, the built-in check valve in the pump/tank that overfills is bad. Can also fix this yourself by changing that fuel pump, but that runs $120 to $190 for just the pump (depending on which aftermarket brand you buy) and it's a bit** to do. You either have to drop the tank or raise the bed to get to the pumps in the tank. I'm going to badger my Ford dealer and try to get mine done on recall. If that fails, I'll have to buy a new front tank pump, raise the bed and change the pump. Check with your Ford dealer about the recall and post back. I'm curious if and where Ford is still honoring this recall. Alldata lists this recall as: technical service bulletin number 93S68, issued Sept. 93, called "Cross Tank Fuel Flow Condition -- Recall 93S68." Let me know how you make out with your dealer.

 

I just had this problem on an '87 F250 recently bought. It wasn't the pump, though, but the fuel control reservoir valve (I think that was what it was called) that sets right before the high-pressure fuel pump and to which the lines from both tanks run. It had gone bad and let the fuel pump out of one tank but returned fuel to the other tank. The one I have is nonelectric, operating on the tank pump pressure alone, and cost $62.00, dealer price. I don't know if it is the same as you have or not, but it might pay to check yours before starting to drop tanks, etc.-- a real pain.

 

Thanks for your information. I checked with a dealer and was told my truck is not covered under the recall. I was also told that there are no check valves sold by Ford that I could install for that truck. Thanks again.

Bob

 

Bob: Your dealer is giving you a load of BS. ALL of the 1990 F-150's with gasoline engines and dual tanks were included in Ford's safety recall 93S68. Ford has a wonderful system that tells dealers that there are "no open recalls" on vehicles that have already had the recall work done. It does not distinguish between vehicles not included in the recall.

This means that your truck already has the supply line check valves and a new PR. It also means that the recall fix is obviously not working. Ford only has a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty on their recalls, so therefore you have to pay for the fix now.

It is true that Ford doesn't sell the check valves separately, but new supply side check valves may not solve your problem. If the return check valve in the fuel pump (FDM), called a shuttle valve, is bad, you have to replace the entire pump assembly. You might also want to report your experience to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at: nhtsa.dot.gov/hotline. They have a safety investigation on this problem, under EA99-032. Good luck.

 

I recommend checking the NHTSA web site. NHTSA has a toll-free hotline for anyone who is having trouble getting Ford to fix this safety-related defect OR anyone who has had the recall done, but hasn't helped (you). I think you still may have some kind of recourse, especially if you paint the ugly picture of a potentially fiery explosion on Ford's hands....

 

Hey Bob,
Finally checked my truck's eligibility for this recall at my dealer..."Sorry, your truck's already been serviced for this." Hmmm. I think Ford is a rotten fish on this one...can find no evidence of this service being done on my own when looking for the check valves they supposedly install as a recall fix. I think Ford has just shut the books on this problem and these trucks. Guess I'll contact NHTSA and the Center for Auto Safety, and Ford corporate if I can find a contact name/number, and share the new acronym I developed for FORD (Flammable On Refueling Days) on my way home from the dealer. I shared this acronym with the service monkey and he was NOT amused.

 

I recently bought my 1992 F150 supercab with 149K miles and it is the first Ford I've owned since the 1972 Cougar I had in high school (over 20 years ago - I've been more of a Chevy/Honda guy since). I just had the recall work done to my truck. It was spewing gasoline out of the rear filler cap on the way home with it when I bought it & I have no idea how the previous owners tolerated the problem and never had the recall done. Now that I've had the "recall work" done, everything appears to be fine. Contrary to what I thought and NHTSA's description, they only installed a new pressure regulator, not "redundant check valves". If this fix doesn't last, and I get ANY kind of runaround from Ford about it, this will be the VERY last Ford I EVER own. It is unconscionable for Ford not to make this right, cradle-to-grave. How hard is it to get this right? How many years have Ford and others been producing dual tank trucks?

Too bad, because I find myself really liking my truck (the looks, the ride, and the comfort). From what my maniacal Ford friends have fed me over the years, I expect this truck to be completely trouble-free until at least 300K.

 

erics:
I never heard of the pressure regulator replacement fixing the fuel cross flow problem. Did the dealer or tech explain how the new PR would fix it? The only fix that seems to work for us in our shop is replacing one or both of the fuel pumps (FDM)

I guess it is possible that you only had some kinked duel return lines, and they just threw on the PR for a few extra $.