Help!! 96 engine problem! (newbie)

[ananya101]

I noticed that you guys help alot of newbies here and I was wondering if I could run a question by you. We just bought a 96 ford explorer xlt and had it check at a very reputable mechanic. He said I needed a new fuel filter but everything else was good. The x has a new tranny and he said the engine sounded good and he didn't see any problems. We drove in home and on the way it would start to jerk and not accerlerate. Then it would act like nothing was wrong. When we first looked at the vehicle it stalled right after a few moments drive but no one had driven it in 2 months and so we didn't think much about it and since the mechanic said all was good...

anyway we are now worried that we just bought something that we don't have the money to fix... can some one give me a clue on what it could be and is it safe to drive?? No check engine lights or anything...

THank you

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Change the fuel filter, it could cause those problems. Start there and see if that helps, then post back. Filters are fairly easy to change, you need a special tool that is available at most any parts store.

 

[dynamite196]

Change the fuel filter, it could cause those problems. Start there and see if that helps, then post back. Filters are fairly easy to change, you need a special tool that is available at most any parts store.

you beat me to it. if the filter is clogged then it could be starving the engine of fuel. if it was something major like a sensor or misfiring it would trigger a trouble code so more than likely it's the fuel filter.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Be careful when working on the fuel line. Make sure that you have no cigarettes nearby. I read a thread here that somebody who never did this before was working with a hot drop light, and got gas on his shirt. His drop light ignited the gas, and his shirt caught fire! He rolled over, and put it out but it is still dangerous. Make sure that you relieve the gas pressure first. Disconnect the fuel pump fuse, relay, or inertia switch, then crank the engine a little. This will relieve the fuel pressure. You could see if there is pressure on the fuel port by pushing down on the button under the plastic cap.

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/fuelfilter.html

 

[ananya101]

Well...

Thank you so much for you help... we limped it to the mechanic and the fuel pump went out... not a fun repair. So I am praying this will fix everything (oh.. and we did change the filter... they said it was original... 150,000 miles without a change.. not good)

So, once it is done later today, I will let you all know how it went.

THANK YOU AGAIN!

 

[dynamite196]

that fuel filter definetely didn't help the fuel pump situation lol hopefully it'll be all good now, good luck

 

[ma96782]

Fuel filter vs. fuel pump............replacement costs is a big difference, though I wouldn't blame the mechanic too much (on track, but missed the "exact" problem).

Understandably, it could happen.

Aloha, Mark

 

[410Fortune]

a 96 with an OEM fuel pump is likely due for a new one.
The part is about $85 and it takes all of 1 hour to replace yourself, 2 hours working slow with a learning curve.
From what you describe it sounds like the fuel pump was getting weak to me and then finally quit, very common. They typically last about 150K miles or so give or take, less time if the tank is run low or of the truck sits for extended periods of time without running

 

[stang99x]

The fuel pump on my first 92 lasted 252000 miles and was still pumping away when I sold it. My 95 was still going at 189000 when I sold it.

 

[ananya101]

well.. took the ex up north this weekend... worked great!! I love this thing... why didn't i get one sooner???