Engine will crank.. but doesnt start
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New User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 21
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Engine will crank.. but doesnt start
hello i am seventeen and i own a 1985 F-150 with a 300 i-6 motor. The other day i was driving down the interstate when my fuel pump broke i got my truck towed back to my house and i replaced the old fuel pump ..thinking that my truck would run again... when i turn the key the engine cranks but it will not start ..even when i pour fuel into the carb.( i noticed the new fuel pump wasnt pumping in fuel but that is because it is not primed). I need all the expertise i can get if u have any ideas please comment .. im completly stumped
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 830
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From: Indiana
Are you getting spark to the plugs?
If you poured gas into the carb and it did not run at least for a few seconds then it could be a spark issue. If you want to get the fuel pump primed try disconnecting the gas line from the fuel pump that comes from the gas tank. Connect one end of a hose (clear works better)about 3 feet long to the fuel pump and stick the other end into a small gas tank (I usaully use a one gallon size container). Once you turn the motor over you should see the pump drawing the gas towards the pump. You may want to also pour a little bit of gas into the vent tube at the top of the carb. This will allow the gas to run into the float bowl. Yuo may have to do this a couple of times until the pump gets gas into the carb.
If you poured gas into the carb and it did not run at least for a few seconds then it could be a spark issue. If you want to get the fuel pump primed try disconnecting the gas line from the fuel pump that comes from the gas tank. Connect one end of a hose (clear works better)about 3 feet long to the fuel pump and stick the other end into a small gas tank (I usaully use a one gallon size container). Once you turn the motor over you should see the pump drawing the gas towards the pump. You may want to also pour a little bit of gas into the vent tube at the top of the carb. This will allow the gas to run into the float bowl. Yuo may have to do this a couple of times until the pump gets gas into the carb.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,010
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From: SW Arizona
This might be a dumb question for you. But does your truck have dual tanks?
If so, is the main one empty but have some gas in the middle one? If this is the case. Put gas in the rear tank for the sensor to pick up. Then turn the key and it just might start up.
Found this out with a similar problem after replacing my old fuel pump in my 81 E100 Van that has dual tanks. My rear 22 gal main tank was empty and had switched over to my auxcillery 18 gal to use before the fuel pump started going out.
As you may know, with the dual tank set up the rear tank is the primary tank. What this means is that when you go to start the van or truck, regardless of what position the tank selection switch is in (front or rear) it will revert to the rear only! This only happens while you are running the starter. Ever notice how things like the radio turns off when you are starting? Well, that is because all non essential items are shut down to give full power to the starter. The selection valve for the gas tanks is one of those non essential items so it reverts to the rear tank every time you start the van. If the rear tank is empty the van/truck will not start.
This was explained to me by a long time Ford truck/van owner when my engine would just crank but not start. My middle tank was over half full but my rear one was empty. My husband checked the lines, filters, carb and he was stumped too. He has also has a dual tank system on his 83 E150 w/302 engine but never had this problem. But mine is completely stock with a manual fuel pump. No EFI or added electronics as later 300s had (why I like it...can work on it)
Hope this helps
If so, is the main one empty but have some gas in the middle one? If this is the case. Put gas in the rear tank for the sensor to pick up. Then turn the key and it just might start up.
Found this out with a similar problem after replacing my old fuel pump in my 81 E100 Van that has dual tanks. My rear 22 gal main tank was empty and had switched over to my auxcillery 18 gal to use before the fuel pump started going out.
As you may know, with the dual tank set up the rear tank is the primary tank. What this means is that when you go to start the van or truck, regardless of what position the tank selection switch is in (front or rear) it will revert to the rear only! This only happens while you are running the starter. Ever notice how things like the radio turns off when you are starting? Well, that is because all non essential items are shut down to give full power to the starter. The selection valve for the gas tanks is one of those non essential items so it reverts to the rear tank every time you start the van. If the rear tank is empty the van/truck will not start.
This was explained to me by a long time Ford truck/van owner when my engine would just crank but not start. My middle tank was over half full but my rear one was empty. My husband checked the lines, filters, carb and he was stumped too. He has also has a dual tank system on his 83 E150 w/302 engine but never had this problem. But mine is completely stock with a manual fuel pump. No EFI or added electronics as later 300s had (why I like it...can work on it)
Hope this helps
Last edited by VikingBabe; Jun 14, 2006 at 02:58 AM.
