Heat Realated Performance Problems
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Heat Realated Performance Problems
I have a 1989 E350 (old U-Haul) with a 460, EFI, AC, Oil cooler, etc.
In the past I had to replace the tank fuel pump due to vapor lock problems with the tank fuel pump. Run 6-8 miles and die, wait 30 minutes and back on the road. Over and over until I replaced the tank fuel pump.
I now have a similar, yet different, problem.
When this thing gets hot is starts running like ...
It loses power, there is a loud ticking sound from under the shroud, and then it acts as if it is only running on one cylinder. The hotter it gets, the worse it gets. I'm thinkin' I need to fix it or get some good walkin' shoes.
I am considering replacing all of the electrical components (distributor cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires, TFI module, etc.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated!!!
Like they say if it has tires, or it's a woman, sooner or later you're gonna have trouble with it.
In the past I had to replace the tank fuel pump due to vapor lock problems with the tank fuel pump. Run 6-8 miles and die, wait 30 minutes and back on the road. Over and over until I replaced the tank fuel pump.
I now have a similar, yet different, problem.
When this thing gets hot is starts running like ...
It loses power, there is a loud ticking sound from under the shroud, and then it acts as if it is only running on one cylinder. The hotter it gets, the worse it gets. I'm thinkin' I need to fix it or get some good walkin' shoes.
I am considering replacing all of the electrical components (distributor cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires, TFI module, etc.
Any other suggestions would be appreciated!!!
Like they say if it has tires, or it's a woman, sooner or later you're gonna have trouble with it.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,033
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
May be a cracked head, burnt valve, I know another guy with the same problem with a hightop E-150 with a 460, so hot it'd boil the fuel out of the lines clear to the tanks, took forever for us to get from Tennessee to Harisonburg Virginia, pull over every few miles and fill up. He put in a brand new 4 row radiator, so I know it functioned fine, has yours been flushed and pressure tested? Electrical will throw a code, if there are no codes, you're throwing money away randomly replacing electronics.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
It doesn't throw any codes at all.
It has been a long time since the last spark plug, dist. cap, etc have been changed so I have to do it anyway. Only spray and pray in electronics would be the TFI so I'll probably get it hot and cool off the TFI to see if that helps.
I doubt there is an engine issue as this 460 is a relatively new engine (new long block installed just before I bought it from U-Haul). Probably has 30k miles on it, doesn't burn a drop of oil and runs like a scalded dog when it's cool. Never runs bad in the winter or in the morning.
Thanks for the mention of the fuel in the lines being vaporized. I'll put that in my memory bank.
Thanks for the comments - keep'em coming
It has been a long time since the last spark plug, dist. cap, etc have been changed so I have to do it anyway. Only spray and pray in electronics would be the TFI so I'll probably get it hot and cool off the TFI to see if that helps.
I doubt there is an engine issue as this 460 is a relatively new engine (new long block installed just before I bought it from U-Haul). Probably has 30k miles on it, doesn't burn a drop of oil and runs like a scalded dog when it's cool. Never runs bad in the winter or in the morning.
Thanks for the mention of the fuel in the lines being vaporized. I'll put that in my memory bank.
Thanks for the comments - keep'em coming
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos, CA
i went to mexico in my E350 for a vacation in summer. was head home via AZ (AZ + summer = HOT)and as i got close to the border, the van developed a miss. so i pulled over at a little ice cream stand to see what was up. shut it down, looked around the eng compartment, saw nothing, went to restart it and it would crank, but no start. kept hearing a pop pop pop when cranking. then the light went on! coil on the '95 is driver's side, back of the motor. it had gotten so hot under the hood that the silicon boot grease combined with the heat had allowed the coil wire to come unclipped and slide off the coil.
it was the snap snap snap sound that gave me the hint. so i vote for plug wires.
my experience with the TFI module is that it is all or nothing. if you are there though, and your TFI is on the distributor, you could get proactive and relocate it...
just my 2 cents
it was the snap snap snap sound that gave me the hint. so i vote for plug wires.
my experience with the TFI module is that it is all or nothing. if you are there though, and your TFI is on the distributor, you could get proactive and relocate it...
just my 2 cents
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Well, too soon old, too late smart.
Got to thinking about it and decided that the way this thing was running there had to be some codes being put out so read them again.
31 - ECT out of range. Don't know how the heck I missed it the first time around. Probably one of my senior moments.
Anyway, now to find the blasted thing. Finding the ET sender was easy. Right behind, and the little left (right of engine) of the distributor.
They say the ECT Sensor is screwed into the heater water outlet but I'll be danged if I can find it. I'll bet this will be like changing spark plugs one of these blasted E350's.
Any clues would be greatfully appreciated.
Got to thinking about it and decided that the way this thing was running there had to be some codes being put out so read them again.
31 - ECT out of range. Don't know how the heck I missed it the first time around. Probably one of my senior moments.
Anyway, now to find the blasted thing. Finding the ET sender was easy. Right behind, and the little left (right of engine) of the distributor.
They say the ECT Sensor is screwed into the heater water outlet but I'll be danged if I can find it. I'll bet this will be like changing spark plugs one of these blasted E350's.
Any clues would be greatfully appreciated.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Opps! I just remembered that U-Haul had installed a new long block engine in this vehicle just before I bought it.
I searched around and found what looks like the ECT Sensor on the top center of the engine. If that is it I wonder what year engine I have in this 89?
I searched around and found what looks like the ECT Sensor on the top center of the engine. If that is it I wonder what year engine I have in this 89?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Well, the sensor in the middle of the engine was not the ECT Sensor, but I did find it to the right of the distributor. Changed it and eliminated that code. Now I've gotta run this baby hard and see if it acts up.
I need somebody who has the ECT Sensor to the right of the distributor to tell me what year vehicle they have.
Thanks in advance
I need somebody who has the ECT Sensor to the right of the distributor to tell me what year vehicle they have.
Thanks in advance
