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My 88 E350 van (a bucket truck) was running great until yesterday. It started fine and I moved it to work on my house with no problem. I parked at angle on an incline, started the generator and prepared to work. Soon, the generator ran poorly and died. I looked that the fuel filter and it was empty. I started the van again and it was fine for a moment and then started running rough. I moved it back to park it and shut it off. When starting today, it wouldn't start at all and it seems there is no fuel in the line (3/4 tank filled the other day). It has an external pump and when I turn the key, it starts running and stops. I pulled the line off and when cranking, it has minimal fuel trickling out. Anyone know what the proper pump for this van should be? Does the pump sound like the issue, especially with its startup and then stopping?
my bet is the pickup tube in the tank has a crack in it and the truck "ran out of fuel"
try putting 5 gallons of fuel in the tank and see if it will run. if yes, you found the issue.
my bet is the pickup tube in the tank has a crack in it and the truck "ran out of fuel"
try putting 5 gallons of fuel in the tank and see if it will run. if yes, you found the issue.
my normal test is to put a portable fuel tank like used on a boat to the input of the fuel pump. if the engine fires up and runs, i then move back ot the fuel tank selector switch ( if equipped with one) and try again. then to the inlet of the selector switch. if still runs good, i move back to the fuel tank outlet line. if it still runs good, that eliminates all lines, switches, and fuel pump and leaves the fuel tank pickup tube as the problem.
but adding 5 gallons is always the first test. because if it fires up and runs after adding fuel to the tank, i can eliminate checking everything from tank to engine as the culprit.
Is there a way to easily jump or supply power to the fuel pump to see if it's working and pulling fuel from the tank? My thought, correct me if I'm wrong, is that if the pump runs, it's ok. If it runs but doesn't pull fuel, then there's a cracked pickup tube.
key on the pump should run for around 10 seconds before shutting off. put your ear to the fuel fill neck and have someone turn key to run. you should hear the pump turn on.
The fuel pump does start for about 10 seconds and then stop (it's gas). I was under the van yesterday and saw it run in person. Is there a way to jump it to keep it going to see if it's pulling gas from the tank? If it pulls gas from the tank up to the pump, then I would say the issue is after the pump. My local mechanic can't (won't) work on it until the warm weather, so I have to self-diagnose. If the pumps pulls from the tank, what other issues should I look at (oil pressure sensor, etc.)?
The lines seem to be empty. There was an old, OEM (I think) fuel filter housing halfway between the tank and pump mounted on the frame. I popped the line off there and no gas. Do I have to drop the tank to get to the pickup tube (assuming that's the next step)?
Yes, you need to drop the tank to access the in tank pump and the strainer (filter) or sock
The crossover valve if dual tanks needs looked at before you drop the tank
Pull one of the big lines off the rear of the 6 port valve
You should have fuel flow momentarily when you turn the key on
Look at the 1991 E250 MK III no start thread
I posted some diagnosis for the crossover valve (posted the pinpoint tests backwards, but they are there)
If you take that reservoir cap off during the diagnosis, you can get another O-ring by buying a fuel filter for a 1985 Bronco
Update...I disconnected the fuel pump outlet and jumped it to run constantly and it only dribbled and spurted. I then disconnected the fuel line at the fuel filter in the middle of the van frame rail and stuck it in a gas can. I jumped the pump and it almost immediately produced a strong flow, so the pump is fine. It's looking like the sending unit is going to be the problem. Do you know if the sending unit can be removed without dropping the tank? This is a single square tank mounted at the rear.
Yes, you have to remove the fuel tank to get the pump / sender assembly out
Be careful with the lines, damn hard to do, but easier to get the tank down if you remove the lines from the sender first
Unless I'm reading post #1 wrong, it seems like you initially asked about a 'no-start' condition of an on-board generator?--
"Soon, the generator ran poorly and died. I looked that the fuel filter and it was empty. I started the van again and it was fine for a moment and then started running rough (the generator? Or the van?) I moved it back to park it and shut it off. When starting today, it wouldn't start at all and it seems there is no fuel in the line (3/4 tank filled the other day). It has an external pump and when I turn the key, it starts running and stops."
The van doesn't have an external pump so were you referring to the generator? As with an RV generator I guess it has a system that taps into the van's fuel supply? My apologies if I'm missing something here.
Well, yes
The incomplete vehicle vans have a 3 port fuel pump in the tank
The pumps 3rd port is for the generator
My van has 3 ports too, but no generator so the port is just capped off
I believe his generator just quit and his truck was not running at the time
