Hi all. I just picked up a '93 E350 cargo van real cheap. Immediately notice that it's running rich enough to smell. After running my first full tank through it I realized it's getting about half the mileage it should. Other symptoms include a slightly rough idle (sounds like it's loading up, then clearing itself) and it takes an abnormally long time to reach normal operating temperature. Other than the o2 sensors and a complete tune up, what else should be done? Thanks in advance.

 

Oh, btw it has 113k on it.

 

Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator and see if there's gas in the vacuum line. If so, replace the regulator and change the oil, it'll have gas in it. Pull the codes, check fuel pressure, replace the fuel filter. What engine's in it?

 

Doh! Forgot to mention it's the 351. I can't find my scanner that I haven't used in years. I'll get another, but until then the previous owner and his mechanic pulled codes and only got one saying it's running rich, no specific number in his memory. Will do the rest. Thanks.

 

The ECT (Engine Coolant Temparature) Sensor can really wreak havoc when it gets old. It'll tell the computer that the engine is cold, thereby staying in Warmup mode. Sortof like having a stuck choke.
ECT's cost around $15-30(20-30 for MotorCraft) depending where you get it, Good PM to replace every 100K IMHO

A lopey idle is charcteristic of some 5.8 EFI. Though not very radical.

-J-R-

 

Thanks, I never would have thought of that.

 

Yakk, is it also common for some 351 to be able to burn the back tires in a full size van? Mine does and is completely stock from what I can tell.

 

Hey. pfogle, what MPG do you get with that? My 302 is getting about 15 on the highway. Used to do 16-17 before they raised the speed limits. Also pretty sure it won't burn the back tires, at least not on dry pavement!

 

Shouldn't be a problem to burn the tires with the lighter rear weight distribution in a regular length van.
To solve that, you'd need Traction Control, like my 88 has? 4.9L EFI + 5400 lb Curb Supervan.

I had a 92 F 250 with 5.8 E4OD, and it had just enough weight that it couldn't burn em'
But all it took was a helper to lift the rear, and Howwwwwwl!!!

I've had two 5.8's and both had the lope, the AT did it especially well.
I've read the TSB for the fix, and Ford tells the mechanic that if they can't solve the problem to tell the customer that the idle is characteristic of the 5.8's high overlap cam. With which it does have the highest lobe lift of the pushrod EFI engines.

-J-R-