When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Early on tonight tried to start truck. Would turn but not start. kept turning key on and off to bring gp's on. Oddly, tank I was on (front I think) showed about 1/2 full, when I know there was only about a 1/4 left in it (from driving around yesterday). So flipped switch to rear tank and voila!, starts on first click of the key.
I am thinking air in the fuel lines? or what might you think? Buddy thought bad fuel pump. Thanks for any advice.
Out-a-fuel would be my guess. There's only 1 fuel pump, so that rules out the FP theory because it runs on the 'rear' tank. You can Check the fuel pressure at the schrader valve on the fuel filter housing.
While this doesn't explain the level being wrong some times the rubber foot on the end of the fuel pickup breaks off so at 1/4 tank you suck air.
Here is a pic of the rear pickup but the black foot on the end of the sender can break off.
regarding tims pic, if you look closely at the right side of the black pick up you'll see a small nipple resting against the floor. its oppositte of the orange piec facing upward. that little dohicky is the anti-suckup water valve. in cold weather if the fuel gels or water freezes at the bottom of the tank it will not allow fuel to be picked up(duh) so ford decided to put that valve in to allow the fuel to bypass the pick-up when a restriction is at hand using that valve. problem is they stick alot and cause the motor to suck air when she hits 1\8-1\4 tank.