I have searched all morning for similar symptoms, but nothing matches, so here goes:

'95 E-350 motor home, 460, E4OD, 88K

Recently, near end of 3K trip through Midwest, truck was running fine down Interstate, we get off and engine quits while going through town and will not restart. Cranks, but won't start. Changed fuel filter and it started right up. Went on, thinking that was it.

Then about an hour later, hot day, climbing long hill, speed 40-45, 2nd gear, throttle to the floor, engine well within temp range. Engine absolutely quits, no sputter, no warning. It will not restart until about 30 minutes later (again, cranks fine, no hint of running). Upon restart, runs fine, but we went back down the hill. Later in day, climbed same hill fine, plus others, but I was a little lighter on the throttle and it was cooler.

Then, two days later, exact same thing. Same conditions, same solution. Went back down hill and went another route. Later that night, similar climb, no problems.

No engine light, no blinking light on gear selector lever, engine runs fine in every other way. Occasionally, I have felt some surging or slipping in 2nd gear, but it shifts fine and feels fine in other gears. I had changed fuel filter before leaving, so perhaps time spent changing filter was just the seemingly requisite 30 minute wait.

All thoughts appreciated.

 

Have you checked the on board computer(ECU) ? It can record things without turning on the check engine light.

 

Thanks, will do. I didn't realize OBD1 would do that.

 

Light shows 33 which is "EGR valve opening not detected." Would that account for the symptoms above (sudden complete shutdown under load; long wait to restart, presumably to cool down)?

 

Pulled inside cover and discovered the number eight cylinder (left, rear) leaking badly past exhaust manifold gasket and leak in the right side manifold-to-exhaust pipe (doughnut) gasket. Presumably, there is a connection between code 33 and these leaks. I will do repairs, clear codes, drive, and recheck for codes.

Since the sudden, complete shutdown under heavy load is pretty serious, and hard to duplicate, I would still appreciate an opinion about whether the exhaust issues and code could cause the engine to shutdown. Thanks.

 

Fuel line doesnt run in that area does it? (I am new to Vans)
Exhaust leak/vaporlock?

 

Some people I've talked to suggested the same thing. I thought that fuel injection with its tank-mounted fuel pump was immune to vapor lock, but some have said it can still happen. I have not rerouted any fuel lines nor made any modifications to the truck at all, and if it's a heat issue (as suggested by the "cooling off time"), it seems like it would happen in AZ heat. Both times it has happened, it was the heat of the day, but high in the Colorado Rockies, which isn't that hot. Come to think of it, both times were at about 7500 feet, but on the same trip we did the same altitudes several other times with no problem. This one has me stumped. I'm actually thinking of ways to try to duplicate it here at home.

I just checked the exhaust leaks after it heated up and they appear to seal up with heat expansion, but I'm going to check further. It also just passed emission test.

Thanks for your reply, any additional thoughts appreciated.

 

Been my experiance that they dont like high alcohol content in the fuel. I had a toyota van(duckbill one) that would always flood on a hot restart if there was ethanol in the gas. though I never had it flat out die. I believe there is a map sensor on your van maybe its wonky that would explain hi alt problem

 

Heat seems to be an issue...

I'd consider checking for a weak camshaft or crankshaft position sensor (not sure which one the 460 used). I've read a lot of different vehicles that display that type of behavior when the sensor was bad.

Just an idea...

 

Thanks to both of you. I appreciate your thoughts. More to look into . . .