Can anyone help me on this?

I have an 86 crewcab (as my name says). I have the 6.9 with an automatic transmission.

The truck was running great until a week ago. I fueled up at the same station I've been going to, although at a different pump, on a different island.

I drove about 6 miles and turned off the engine. I returned about 15 minutes later. I attempted to start it. She fired right away, but died immediately.
I attempted a restart. She turned over, but would not fire.

I saw the fuel/water seperator (Standyne?) on the firewall and pulled the ring on top. I made a small fuel spill in the parking lot.

After about 30 minutes of staring at the engine with a stupid perplexed face, I attempted again. She fired up, but ran rough (like a misfire). I was able to get the truck home, but she would get surges in power, and then show lack of power at times.

I used the schrader valve on the fuel filter and was able to get fuel out. I actually stalled the truck at one point doing this.

When the engine was off, I could get a very small puff of air from the valve.

The truck leaked fuel from the "Standyne" seperator for a while afterward. Could the seal be bad? Can they be rebuilt? Where can I buy a kit? New unit?

Every manual I have does not reflect any information on this seperator. The truck is even wired for the darn thing to a warning light on the dash. The light does not stay on when running. It does come on when starting.

I'm leading to believe I got some bad fuel, as the truck ran like a trooper prior to fueling. Can I add something to the tank to alleviate any moisture in the fuel?

The truck has stalled on several occassions since. I'm scared of burning up the starter, because it's difficult to start, yet not impossible.

I love my truck and my newly found admiration of diesels. Any help would be appreciated.

Since my last post I have purchased another truck. She's an 86 Ford F250 super cab, 4x4, TTB, 6.9L, Banks turbo, Gear vendors O.D., manual trans. She was a rollover and the body is wasted, but she only has 92K original miles. I got her for a little more than the Gear vendors O.D. costs new.

So my 86 crew will get all of the good parts and an engine change. I hope to be posting some photos of my trucks soon!

86 F350 Crewcab, 4x4, 6.9L, C-6, 4:56 Gears - Restoring
86 F250 Reg Cab, 4x4, 6.9L, C-6, 3:54 Gears - Thrown rod - On Hold
86 F250 Super Cab, 4x4, 6.9L, Manual trans, Banks turbo, G.V. O.D. - Rollover
86 F250 Reg Cab, 2wd, 7.5L, Manual trans - For Sale
93 Ford F150 Lightning - Black - Stock
64 Ford F100 - 400M, C-6 - Awaiting restoration

 

Phew that was a long read.....

More than likely 192K or even 292K miles as those truck odometers turn back to zero after 99999.9

Check the water separator drain hose fo wet....... if it is jamm a 3/8 bolt up the drain and clamp it......... a known air intrusion point. Air will cause stalling and bad running engine......... we can look further if that does NOT fix it.

Do this too......

Do a pressure and flow test of the fuel pump at the Schrader valve on the filter header (FSS- fuel shutoff solenoid disconnected on IP). Remove the tire valve core and hook a hose and pressure guage on it should see 4-6 psi when cranking. Then do a fuel quantity test same place, should see 1/3 pint in 10 seconds of engine cranking, route fuel to a suitable container with a hose.


If there is a problem with the lift pump and you are changing it, ensure the new pump comes with instructions as to correct installation procedure if it is the newer model pump with the almost straight arm.

 

Thanks PLC7.3,
I'll do the checks you suggested. It's kind of strange how the truck has sporadic problems. I drove it yesterday and it didn't stall once, although I would still occassionally get the sudden surges in power as if I stomped on the throttle.

In regard to my new purchase. My first thought was the same...192k or 292K.
The truck is in Northern California. The owner was an older gentlemen who recently passed away. The person I purchased it from acquired it from the wife of the original owner. I purchased it from the owner of the mechanical shop which has maintained the truck since new. He swears by the 92K. I'll check to see if he can verify the mileage through dated receipts when I pick the truck up.

Thanks for your help.
86Crew4Me
P.S. Sorry for the book posting
86 F350 Crewcab, 4x4, 6.9L, C-6, 4:56 Gears - Restoring
86 F250 Reg Cab, 4x4, 6.9L, C-6, 3:54 Gears - Thrown rod - On Hold
86 F250 Super Cab, 4x4, 6.9L, Manual trans, Banks turbo, G.V. O.D. - Rollover
86 F250 Reg Cab, 2wd, 7.5L, Manual trans - For Sale
93 Ford F150 Lightning - Black - Stock
64 Ford F100 - 400M, C-6 - Awaiting restoration

 

PLC7.3,
You are the man! I plugged the fuel/water seperator with a bolt and clamp. My crew runs like a champ with no problems....right now anyway. Thank you so much for your advise. Do I need to keep the fuel/water seperator installed? Is it really necessary?
I'm planning on replacing all the fuel return lines because they don't look to great. But, I live by the addage "if it works, don't fix it." I might wait until I needs to do some additional work on the truck...Like installing the turbo.
Thanks.
86crew4me
P.S. I pick up the rollover this Friday.

86 F350 Crewcab, 4x4, 6.9L, C-6, 4:56 Gears - Restoring
86 F250 Reg Cab, 4x4, 6.9L, C-6, 3:54 Gears - Thrown rod - On Hold
86 F250 Super Cab, 4x4, 6.9L, Manual trans, Banks turbo, G.V. O.D. - Rollover
86 F250 Reg Cab, 2wd, 7.5L, Manual trans - For Sale
93 Ford F150 Lightning - Black - Stock
64 Ford F100 - 400M, C-6 - Awaiting restoration

 

PLC7.3
Picked up my rolled supercab. The previous owner was an elderly lady and her husband had passed away a few years ago. He documented his fuel ups in a little book in the glove compartment. This truck only had 16k miles on it in 1990! Over the last 4 years it acquired only 400 miles. It's documented at 92k miles. It runs well, but I could not take it out on an open road to check the turbo's boost. Seems a little louder than my crewcab, but I have not had the chance to check it out. Possibly an exhaust leak. All in all, I think it was a good deal for 3000 bucks. I'll make a little back selling uneeded parts and scraping some of the steel. My crew is running fine. Thanks again for the help.
86crew4me