Vapor Lock?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 25
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Vapor Lock?
1988 f250
5 spd. 300/six
Seems like after driving for an extended peroid (20 plus miles)
if I shut the truck off or clutch snuff it accidently, I have to wait anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute for it to turn over quickly. If I do not wait, the starter acts as if it is working
very hard or the battery is dead.
I suspect vapor lock to be the culprit, but don't know where to begin solving this problem. Could timing be an issue? The truck never overheats or runs "poorly".
Any other ideas? It seems to be worse when I pull a load or when I am loaded (the truck not me). Could insulating the fuel line be a simple and easy fix?
I'm stumped.
Nate
5 spd. 300/six
Seems like after driving for an extended peroid (20 plus miles)
if I shut the truck off or clutch snuff it accidently, I have to wait anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute for it to turn over quickly. If I do not wait, the starter acts as if it is working
very hard or the battery is dead.
I suspect vapor lock to be the culprit, but don't know where to begin solving this problem. Could timing be an issue? The truck never overheats or runs "poorly".
Any other ideas? It seems to be worse when I pull a load or when I am loaded (the truck not me). Could insulating the fuel line be a simple and easy fix?
I'm stumped.
Nate
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
Vapor Lock?
Vapor lock really isnt a problem with an Efi engine . Just so I understand you correctly , Its the starter thats turning slowly when the engine is hot , is this correct ? If so then check the age & condition of the battery , its cables & connections . The starter is very close to the exhaust pipes & heat from them can cause the starter , esp one 13 yrs old , to not turn as fast as it should . Give both battery cables a close inspection , esp the negative cable . It can be very prone to internal corrosion & deteroration because its bare about half way down the cable where it bolts to the frame . This lets moisture slowly corrode the cable from the inside out . It may look fine , but internally its a mess .
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 178
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Vapor Lock?
You may want to check that your Cat. converter isnt plugging. I've seen the same type of problem on a c-vy pickup.
The ex pipe put out so much heat it really raised the resistance in the starter. when cool it worked fine.
The ex pipe put out so much heat it really raised the resistance in the starter. when cool it worked fine.
New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: USA
Vapor Lock?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-May-02 AT 03:10 PM (EST)]I think it is a form a vapor lock. Mine is doing the same thing and several othere posts on this site refer to an "after run fan" that must cool the injector manifold or vapor lock occurs. It makes mine hard to start after it ahs run for a while. I would like to find a wiring diagram on the fan to help figure the whole thing out. My understanding is that this is something to look for in the 87-89 engines.
Good luck
Good luck
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 45
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From: St. Petersburg USA
Vapor Lock?
Here's a trick a friend of mine used to do on his Dodge 225 slant six. He had a lot of problems with vapor lock. He put clothspins (the spring type) along his fuel line and it worked. It looked a little funny but is was better than sitting around waiting for it to cool down. Be good - BUBBA
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Fraziers Bottom, WV
Vapor Lock?
Have you checked the time? We have a van at work doing the same thing and when it was running it had a loss of power. The Mach's, like my self thought it was everything from the fuel pumt to a "Clogged cat." It was the time several deg's off. It had 3 Ford Mech's and one (now backyard) mech fooled!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,728
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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
Vapor Lock?
Mine did the same thing, I had a ground cable that went all the way to the starter mounting bolt, over 6 feet. I put an 18" #2 cable and grounded it to the alternator bracket and havent had a problem since. I later changed the positive cable to a #2 also. Everything works much better. I thought it was my starter also.
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