Aerostar problem.
New User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Aerostar problem.
Hi All,
I hope this is the right area to post this, I am new to this club. I have a 90 Aerostar XL with a 3.0L The problem I am having with it is that after a while driving it under load, it starts to sputter and will die out. If I let it sit a while, it will start back up and Can be driven a ways then it will do the same thing again. Could it possibly be vapor locking? Or is it something else? The temp gauge does not go over half way when it does it either. Sometimes the "check engine"light comes on before this happens too.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I hope this is the right area to post this, I am new to this club. I have a 90 Aerostar XL with a 3.0L The problem I am having with it is that after a while driving it under load, it starts to sputter and will die out. If I let it sit a while, it will start back up and Can be driven a ways then it will do the same thing again. Could it possibly be vapor locking? Or is it something else? The temp gauge does not go over half way when it does it either. Sometimes the "check engine"light comes on before this happens too.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Aerostar problem.
From my experience, it sounds like fuel pressure could be dropping off and the engine then stalls. A fuel pressure test would tell you that. But if the fuel filter hasn't been replaced in a while, you might try that first since it's a maintenance item anyway. The symptom also sounds like the electric fuel pump beginning to fail. To avoid spending allot on parts searching out the problem, a proper diagnosis needs to be performed to pinpoint if it's a fuel or ignition problem.
Good luck, Mark
Good luck, Mark
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Aerostar problem.
When you do the fuel pressure test, keep in mind it may read normal even if the pump is on the way out. The fuel pump is cooled by the fuel flowing through it including it's motors brushes and armature. Often as the brushes wear out, the pump motor will run normally for a period of time and then just quit until it's had a chance to cool down. Also since the pump requires fuel to cool and lubricate it's pump parts and bearings, running the tank dry will ruin a good pump. A test during the time the engine won't start will reveal no pressure, but that time may be hard to catch. Good luck.
-Mark
> Thanks Mark, I
>will do a pressure test
>on it Monday. I
>have replaced the fuel filter
> about a month ago,
>but did not think of
>the pump.
-Mark
> Thanks Mark, I
>will do a pressure test
>on it Monday. I
>have replaced the fuel filter
> about a month ago,
>but did not think of
>the pump.
