Rear tank problem

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Dec 18, 2004 | 09:12 PM

digr

Thread Starter

4wd Low

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 14

Likes: 1

From: minnesota

Rear tank problem

I have a 1996 f-150 4x4 with a 351. Some times it will not start if the tank selector switch is set for the rear tank. When this happens it will not start untill I switch to the front tank, then once I am on the road I can switch back to the rear tank with no problem. Any idea's?

Dec 18, 2004 | 09:21 PM

mike L

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,552

Likes: 0

From: va

selector valve

Have you noticed if the fuel is being pumped to the other tank? When selecters go bad it pumps fuel the the other tank. Sometimes the pressure will build up in one tank to if the valve goes bad. Do you smell any fuel? How long has this been happening?

Dec 18, 2004 | 09:35 PM

digr

Thread Starter

4wd Low

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 14

Likes: 1

From: minnesota

When I run the front tank down and switch to the back and run it down then back to the front there is about 1/4 tank. There is no fuel odor. The problem started about three months ago.

Dec 25, 2004 | 03:35 PM

digr

Thread Starter

4wd Low

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 14

Likes: 1

From: minnesota

Look's like it is pumping fuel into the front tank. I went snow plowing the other nite and had 1/4 tank in the front tank. I filled the rear tank but not the front and used only the rear tank. when I was done I refilled the rear tank and tryed to fill the front tank but it was full! I figured the millage and it came out to be 4.6 m.p.g.

Dec 26, 2004 | 02:31 PM

mike L

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,552

Likes: 0

From: va

fuel cross flow

I don't you have a fuel selector valve on your truck. So the problem is a called a fuel cross flow problem. I don't think your year truck had a recall for this but you could check. Some early years were covered by a recall. Try a google search for more info. or a fte advance search. See for fte Recalls, above right. I think you will need to add a fuel cross check valve, which is added to your fuel lines. Hope this info. helps

Feb 7, 2005 | 02:11 PM

DCC

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 51

Likes: 0

From: Pagosa Spring USA

I have a 95 F350, 460ci with the same problem you described on this forum. My back tank pumps into the front tank. I discussed this over a two-week period with my local Ford dealership and allegedly with the regional rep but their attitude was "Get out of my face." A complaint at National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (nhtsa-dot-gov)is next. If they don't want to fix my truck, they can fix all of them. BTW, the NHTSA number for the 90-93 recall for the same problem is 93V125000. And, one check valve from the 90-93 recali is $250. Yeah, right.

May I ask what you eventually did to solve your problem? I can install a new pump but I'm not sure where the check valve actually is. Nor can my local Checker slash NAPA guys. The FDM is $100 more expensive than just the pump ($150 @ checker) and my attitude is telling me their might be a Toyota truck in my future right about now.

Feb 7, 2005 | 07:50 PM

51frrdtrk

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 331

Likes: 0

From: Michigan

I have a 1994 F-250/351 with duel tanks, when i run on the front tank it returns fuel to both tanks. I understand my problem is with the fuel pump setup in the rear tank (stuck open check valve). This valve allows fuel to be returned to both tanks.The only cure is to replace the complete pump unit (rear tank). People keep talking about installing a check valve in the line. If there isn't one in the line now and i know the problem is caused by the check valve in the rear tank, why not just replace the pump assembly. I do think people should check for recalls on there trucks, but when you have an older truck you should expect some problems.
When looking at the post on this forum we seem to be having a lot of questions on duel fuel tanks.