We are aware of the login problems affecting the forums, and appreciate your patience as we work on a fix.
Did you recently purchase a new Tesla, Rivian or Lucid vehicle directly from the manufacturer and willing to share how your experience compared to previous vehicle purchases made through a traditional dealer? A reporter would like to speak with you; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 2/19 for details.
Comments
The trucks with dual tanks have 3 electric fuel pumps. Two low pressure in-tank pumps, 1 each inside of the front and rear tanks, pump fuel into a reservoir (the canister you speak of). A high pressure frame mounted in-line pump then takes the fuel from this reservoir to the fuel injectors.
Check the in-tank fuel pump in the rear tank to see if it is working. If it quits for any reason, the reservoir has enough gas to prevent fuel starvation when changing tanks and might hold enough to go this distance.
The tank selector switch on the dash controls which tank’s fuel pump is operating and pressure from the selected tank’s pump in turn moves a diaphragm operated valve in the reservoir to control that the selected tank supplies fuel to the in-line high pressure pump as well as directing the return fuel line to the selected tank. One symptom of malfunctioning of this dual function reservoir is apparent poor fuel mileage on one tank, and good mileage or overflowing of the other tank.
Hope this is of some help.
AJ
Purchased truck about 3 weeks ago. Filled both tanks.
Ran truck on front tank tank till about 1/4 full.
Filled front tank and started running on rear tank. Ran till about 1/8 full.
Refilled rear tank and started running on front tank again.
Started making a buzzing sound, and runs really crappy on front tank. If I switch to rear tank, the buzz goes away and runs fine. However, the front tank shows past the full mark quite a bit now, and fuel mileage is terrible. Sounds like the front tank is sucking air when I switch to it, also.
Would it be the front tank pump, or the high pressure pump. I only get the buzzing sound when switched to the front tank. How big a job is it to replace the "in tank" fuel pump. (The front tank is FULL). Can I siphon the fuel out of this tank with a hose? or is there an anit-siphon divice?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance.
Ken
Ken
I finally got off my lazy butt and subscribed to the forums hehehe...
I have a Silver 2000 SVT Lightning...and just wanted to say hello...
Scooter
Got a new one at local Ford dealership (Parts stores did not have one).
Cost with tax....$103.95.
AJ, your advice helped me also, in addition to (fmg). THANKS!
Talk about good timing, what are the chances of getting on one of these boards with a problem and somebody else has the same exact problem at almost the same exact time. Cool!
I haven't installed the reservoir yet but am 99.9% confident this is the problem.
Ken
So my problem is that my truck won't start... I originally thought it was the battery terminals - so I bought some new ones and it worked.. but then it stopped again and wouldnt start back up (even jumping it wouldnt help) so then I thought it might be the batter cuz when I turned the key - the batter guage went all the way down to 8V and i've never noticed if it did that before or not...
So I bought a new battery - didnt fix the problem... I had my uncle tow it to his repo-lot and had his lot tech look at it for me - and he pulled the black hose off the fuel regulator thingy that goes toward the engine (sorry for the message being vague) - it's the hose that like spits off into two.. he took one of those off and sprayed some starter fluid into it and cranked it and it started right up but then died...
Any ideas what it might be? Any help is appreciated.
jblack1 - Sounds like you have a fuel problem also. I don't know a lot about these trucks, but with my problem I found out they have a lot of diffferent set-ups as far the fuel system is concerned. I expect you have fuel injectors, in which case you should have somewhere above 50 psi.fuel pressure at the engine. If not, then you probably have a fuel pump problem also. Try switching your selector to the other tank, if you get the same result, and you have low pressure, it's likely the high pressure pump, if you only have the problem on one tank, then it may be an in-tank pump, or maybe you'll be lucky and have the problem in the selector/valve. In which case you won't have to drop a tank.
Mine which was the selector valve, would start but then it would just die if I left it idle, or it would hardly run on one tank, (along with a buzzing sound) but when I switched to the other tank it ran fine.
Don't know if this helps or not, but it's worth looking into. Good luck!
Ken
How do I check to see if it's a low PSI problem that i'm having?
Also - I noticed normally when i would turn the key to the on position you'd hear something start to hum... to me it sounded like it was coming from the engine compartment somewhere but that may not be the case...
The fuel pumps are electric so just turning the key part way (to the "on" position) will make it run. You don't need to turn it all the way to the start position.
If you are not a mechanical minded person, I would recommend you take it (or have it towed) to a mechanic.
Ken
I have a 1990 -f-150 extended cab 5.0 liter v-8 dual tanks.
when i start the truck and drive for 30 to 45 minutes it just quits
when it quits if i attempt to restart the starter drags as if the battery is low on charge, which is not the case. and will not restart for a period of time (usually 30 to 45 minutes).
then it will start and run in the same way as i have described above.
i used to be a ford dealer elec systems tech and i dont recall a
problem quite like this.
i have been told by variuos sources that it could be the TFI module ,the EEC or the rear fuel pump ,the front pump was inoperable when i purchased it. does any body have any ideas as this is getting to be a pain in the A**.
Options are to: a) hope the replacements hold up; b) replace the rotors/pads with premium after-market (to expensive for my taste); or c) replace the wheels. I'm sticking with a) for now. Best of luck!
Thanks
Russell Chadwick
I am a woman with a 2x4 F150 XLT with the 5.4 engine and you know what??? I can drive that 2x4 in all kinds of weather and road conditions. If you know how to drive then you don't need all four wheels to do the work for you. It is all a matter of control and speed in iffy road conditions. Remember, before there was the all-wheel-drive there was just the rear wheel drive. So when looking for a truck don't overlook the 2x4. I wouldn't suggest the mini trucks because they do not have enough weight in the truck as a whole to give you enough traction to drive! P.S. I love my ford truck built tough!
Does any of the other gauges act up when your having problems with oil pres.? If so, there is a constant voltage regulator (part # D1AZ-10804-A) that could be the problem as it controls the voltage to the oil pres. and (I think) the amp meter. This reg. is located on the instrument printed circuit board (you'll have to pull the cluster) and is about 2" long and 1" wide, two wires going to it with a small attatching bracket. They list for about $70, but you can shop on this as there's lots of mark-up in them, but I think it's a dealer item only. An aggressive dealer will give you a break. If this is not it, it's the dash unit and it'll come with whatever gauge is close to it, like the amp gauge(?). If you don't have a way of checking which it is, you might inquire as to the price of diagnosing this. It may be worth your while.
Good luck, Gator
1) The wiring diagram shows only 2 pumps, and I can't find the 3rd high-pressure pump you refer to. Where is it, exactly? Are you sure this isn't a Diesel-only pump?
2) I only have a vague idea of where the reservoir is, and am beginning to think an investment in removing the truck bed before continuing the assault on the fuel system is in order. Any opinions on that?
mfa
check out this link about spark plug problems, etc. Whether or not Ford has attended this matter, is not yet clear.
here's a link to consumer affairs section on f150's. you can do a search to see if anyone has had a similar problem here...
anyway, if anyone has an idea of what the towing capacity on this truck is, i would really appreciated. i'm shopping for a horse trailer and don't want to commit myself to something that will be too heavy.
thanks!
I don't know what a single horse trailer weighs empty, but by the time you get a horse in it, I'd emagine you'll be over capacity acording to these specs. You'd also need to check tongue weight as well.
I would have to think that towing ANY horse trailer (loaded) you'd need at least a 3/4 ton to 1 ton truck.
that does seem v. low.
i know many people who haul with half ton trucks without a problem. but you're correct. at minimum you have to plan that the trailer will weigh 2000lbs and then one horse probably another 1000 or more.
kcram - Pickups Host
Re read my post # 210 so you have a fresh take on how the fuel supply system works and then rethink your situation. If your truck runs on the rear tank, then we can assume that the rear in-tank pump is powered and working, and the frame mounted high pressure pump is OK as well. Check the operation of the tank selector switch on the dash to insure that it supplies power to the selected tanks pump in each position (and only to the tank selected). You should also be able to check the fuel levels in each tank with the key on and the switch in the correct position. This switch controls the power to the selected tanks fuel pump, as well as the output of its fuel level sending unit. If everything checks out to this point, then I suspect your problem is with the combination reservoir/tank selector., which looks like a black plastic filter and is mounted to the frame under the drivers side of the cab. Could be mounted slightly different on a 4x but will be in the line between the hp pump and the fuel tank. Its purpose is to provide the correct alignment of the supply and return fuel lines as well as providing a continuous supply of gas to the hp pump when changing between tanks. Sorry for the slow response and hope this helps.
Regards
AJ
I have the same fuel pump problem as you have described. There are some listed recalls that Ford will fix. Any luck with it so far?
I am going to check out the dealership on the recall issue, but please let me know if you have solved it.
Thanks, Marcus
Ford sells a premium rotor that is 3/8" thicker, which, interestingly enough, still fits into the stock caliper.
Their stock rotors just suck, they aren't thick enough.
Do you have the exact name of the reservoir as described by FORD? I believe I need one. I thought it was called a fuel tank tranfer valve. Thanks........Paul
Russ
Any thoughts ?
grinch412
Put additional weight in the back 200 pounds or more and as long as you are not a leadfoot you should do all right. Through time when you can afford it get a Four wheel drive but once again do not be a lead foot, even with four wheel drive you can end up in the dicth if you are going to fast.
thanks
kcram - Pickups Host
As an owner of a f150 tweo wheel drive I would recommend a f250 with 4-wheel drive with an extended warranty especially on the transmission. They are overall great trucks but hauling a horse from Mass to Vermont can be very wearing on a tranny
Just a quick note to request that you turn your CapsLock off when posting. It makes things more difficult to read, and on the internet is usually considered shouting.
Thanks!
kcram - Pickups Host
Key on - engine off: Both tanks 12-15#
Engine idle: 32# - Turn engine off and pressure rises to 38# Both tanks.
Truck runs fine on rear tank, front tank will run about 5 mins at idle, buzzing sound increases, fuel pressure will remain constant until buzzing escalates to a point then pressure drops to nothing and engine dies.
Note: if we switch lines at the reservoir/selector tank, then the problem moves to the opposite tank. (Front selected, but actually running on rear tank).
Talked to sevice manager at Ford, did some checking around, his suggestion:
"It's an old truck, you don't drive it much, just run it on the one tank and don't dump a bunch more money into it."
My question now is, should I leave the front tank full, and just use it as ballast? Or should I run it out and then use one tank. It's like 60 bucks worth of gas.
How hard is it to change the selector switch on the dash? Maybe that's the problem. I checked for bad fuses, they seem to be alright.
Ken
A couple of things to check before giving up.
Are you using the original Ford gas caps? After market caps could be a problem. Are you sure the lines to and from the reservoir are hooked up correctly?
Only one or the other in tank pump should have power at any time, not both.
The best manual covering both operation and diagnosis of this component is the original Ford factory manual. These are very detailed, unlike the newer manuals which no longer cover things step by step. The volume you need is as follows.
Truck Shop Manual
1989
Volume B
Light Duty Truck
E, F-150 through 350, F-Super Duty, Bronco
Engine
These might be hard to find with eBay being one possible source.
Factory Automanuals has the 3 volume set covering the entire truck for $65.00 plus shipping (the price of that tank of gas) and can be ordered at
http://tinyurl.com/dpe76
This is not rocket science - I think I would find another Ford dealer!
Regards
Art
Further to my message #262.
Seems the Url for Factory Automanuals must get disabled by the moderators – just do a google search for them if you want to buy the manuals.
In your note
“If we switch lines at the reservoir/selector tank, then the problem moves to the opposite tank. (Front selected, but actually running on rear tank).”
This is not possible unless you swapped the in-tank fuel pump power leads as well. The dash switch when in the front tank position, powers the front tank’s fuel pump, which in turn uses the pressure of the fuel from the front tank ‘s pump to position the diaphragm operated valve in the reservoir/selector to align the supply and return lines insuring the excess fuel coming from the engine fuel rail regulator is returned to the tank it came from. The fuel will always come from the tank the dash selector switch is indicating, no matter how you reverse the lines, if no one has modified the wiring. I think I would test each tank’s fuel pump static pressure before the reservoir to insure they are working. They should provide a pressure of between 2 to 4 lbs (max 5lbs) to the reservoir.
The buzzing noise you hear could be the high pressure pump speeding up as the in-tank pump on the front tank fails to provide the necessary pressure to operate the selector valve in the reservoir, thus starving the high pressure pump. It could well idle for a few minutes after changing tanks on the fuel stored in the reservoir, as its purpose is to prevent fuel starvation when changing from one tank to the other. Sorry That I can’t simplify my explanation any further, I can see the system clearly in my head, but the keyboard can’t read my mind .
Regards
Art
I just purchased a 2001 F 150, and I'm trying to figure out if getting this extended warranty is a good Idea. Does anyone know where I can find info about the typical lifespan and timeline of when things will start to fall apart on my truck, given routine maintenance. and low milage.