Engine lost power then stopped

[elgoathead]

I was able to restart and drive after a few minutes, then it died again.

The fuel pump was rather noisy when attempting subsequent restarts. The gauge displayed less than 1/4 tank, so I suspected either low fuel or a failed pump.

Adding 5 gallons of fuel did not help, so I returned 1/2 hr later with a tow rope. At that time I tried it again... it restarted and it ran like a champ the 3 miles to my home.

A fuel pressure test indicates that all is well; it is well within specs and holds pressure. No DTCs are present.

Q: Can a fuel pump crap out one minute, then be on it's good behavior the next?

I'm not anxious to pull the tank unless I'm sure it is needed.

I will add that it was a warm day, although I don't know if that made a contribution the the problem.

Application is a '96 Explorer 4.0 OHV

 

[deweyville65]

Sounds like pump is on its way to the auto graveyard. Next time engine does not start, hiy bottom of fuel tank with a rubber mallet. If pump runs and engine starts, you have found your problem. Mine did this about a year ago. I do not make a habit of running below 1/4 tank. Also, I cut an access hole under the rear seat to access the pump. Different schools of thought about that. But, I am glad I did it. Too old to try to wrestle a fuel tank from under the truck.

 

[Wyoguy222]

Same thing happened to me about a month ago! I hit the bottom of the gas tank, and fuel pump has worked like a champ ever since! Is very odd that it wasn't working, then I hit it, now its working fine ever since, not a single problem!

 

[elgoathead]

Thanks for the responses... I don't think hitting the tank would have helped, because the pump was already running. Whether or not it was actually moving fuel is unknown.

I thought of 2 other things that may or may not be helpful clues:

This incident happened immediately after making a fairly hard right turn. Is it possible that in doing so, given the low fuel level, that the pump was temporarily starved? If so, how long must one cycle the pump to restore pressure to the rail? (I cycled the key at least a half dozen times as well as tried to start the engine that many times). Each time I tried to start, the engine chuggled but would not run on it's own. It kind of reminded me of when you intentionally disable the pump, then run the engine to relieve rail pressure.

The other item I remembered was that when I returned and restarted it, the engine revved at a steady 2000 RPM for about 10 seconds, then settled down and ran normally... something that it has never ever done before. I think it must be related.

 

[bill06447]

The pump sits inside a well in the fuel tank that generally keeps it submerged in a quart or so of fuel. You'd have to pull a long, hard turn to starve the pump in these trucks...

Bill

 

[elgoathead]

Water ingress?

I wonder.... I have an ill-fitting gas cap (subject of another thread) and I occasionally run thru an automatic car wash. Is it possible that water entered thru the fuel filler and caused this symptom? That would explain why it seemed to be fuel starved even while the pump was obviously running.

However, the water, being heavier than gasoline would have ended up at the bottom of the tank and should have been drawn into the pump soon after ingress, should it not?