Hi, where can I post tech help q's

[RachelR]

I need a tiny info and need to know where I can post the question, Names Rachel and I have done most of the work on my explorer alone, although I know nothing about cars just reading a lot and was able to remove the upper intake manifold and change 2 fuel injectors...but I still need a little help amnd I cant find the info I need online.


Thanks
Rachel

 

[RachelR]

ok so Ill ask it please help!!??

My Explorer broke down on my way to work and smelled like gasoline real bad.
Had to have it towed home.


I have a 91 explorer 4.0 4wd that I "thought" had a bad fuel injector, so I took the upper intake manifold off (which was full of fuel) and changed 2 of the injectors one that had fuel pouring out of the spark plug spot (#6),

Ohh forgot to mention why I had to change 2 injectors, I broke one while pulling it out.


Got both new injectors in, all new rings on the remaining injectors put it back together, all new spark plugs, changed the oil and tried to start it up, only to find it didn't work made me sad since I did it all myself, was about to be real proud of myself hehe. Anyway once again the upper intake manifold had a ton of gasoline in it..I can't find anywhere on the web what that could mean.


Purchased a new fuel pressure regulator (which I shoulda done first) changed the oil again since it smelled like gasoline, and it still wont start. I am certain the fuel pump is working cause I can hear it come on when I turn the key, but there is still fuel in the manifold, could that be what is causing it not to start now? It seems like it wants to turn over now, before it was like the engine was frozen.

Any help is appreciated, I dont know anything about working on vehicles, but I can read and follow directions well.

Rachel

 

[410Fortune]

If there are pools of gasoline in the intake manifold, yes that could cause it to not start, just like water or coolant, the combustion chamber is wet and water/fuel/ dont comress like air. This can damage the engine, cranking it over.
Now I would tell you to remove the spark plugs and crank the engine to get the gasoline out, but since we are delaing with gas I dont want you to blow anything up doing that. We will wait for better advise.


When you seated the injectors and the fuel rail did you coat the o rings first? Are you sure it seated fully?

I have no idea what to tell you to do now since we are dealing with gasoline, I am hoping others will chime in.

let me confirm/time line a couple of things first:
Your truck stalled, wouldnt start.
You had it towed home
replaced two injectors
still wouldnt run, smell of gasoline bad
You have gas in the oil
replaced the FPR
changed oil
still wont start?


This definatley points to leaking injectors/fuel rail pressure issues. It could be you fixed it and the raw gas in the heads is causing your no start situation. Soaked spark plugs wont throw a spark. With that much fuel in the engine though trying to start it might not be the best idea....


Oh and welcome to the site! You can post questions about your 91 in the appropriate year forum I believe, this one could also go in the "under the hood" forum.

 

[RachelR]

Day 1
(1) Truck stalled at a stop light while getting of the highway, was able to get it started long enough to pull it off the road only by holding the gas pedal all the way down.
(2) Towed home for 132.
(3) Tried to start it again to no avail.
(4) opened the choke and seen gasoline in the upper intake manifold just spilling out, smelled oil dipstick and smelled like pure gasoline.
(5) pulled the spark plugs since it was gasoline, and fuel came pouring out of #6
(6) unplugged inertia switch, pulled the negative cable.
(7) removed upper manifold, drained it, pulled all injectors out broke one bleh, changed all the rings and coated them with oil, seated them all properly.
(8) put it all back together, all new plugs.
(9) changed oil

Tried to start it at least it tried to turn over this time was no longer frozen BUT would not start and the manifold filled with gasoline yet again.

Day 2

Repeat steps 3 and 4

(1) drove to adavnced ap store and bought a new fuel pressure regulator.
installed it (piece of cake btw)
(2) changed oil again
(3) tried to start it sounds like it really wants to start but theres still gasoline in the upper intake manifold and I'm not quite sure how to get it out short of removing it again and that wasn't easy, so I would like to try a different way if anyone has any suggestions.

Thats about it hope I didn't leave anything out, any help is appreciated.

If anyone knows how much a difference the fuel could be in the manifold please tell me.


Thanks again,
Rachel

Gonna go take a long bath now since I deserve it and am very cold.

 

[DeRocha]

As fortune as indicated a large amount of fuel in the intake manifold can hydrolock your engine.. Normally people hydrolock their engine when going through deep water and sucking in a ton via the intake.. In any case a liquid (water or gas) is basically non compressible. As such if you try and crank the engine over it will strain as it tries to compress a cylinder full of liquid... This is NOT GOOD as it can (and will) bend and cause havoc with valves and such.. I would remove all spark plugs which will allow the liquid a place to escape from. I then would keep the hood up and crank the engine... As the the engine cranks the pistons will force the fuel out the spark plug holes (this is why fortune was hesitant to recommend this as the raw gas will be sprayed out all of the place)... I would keep a hose & fire estinguisher close by.. Gas by itself isn't bad, but the fumes are 100 times more combustible.. As such if you smell a strong oder of gas you can prop a fan nearby to blow away an fumes that collect to prevent them from reaching high concentrations just right for ignition...

 

[RachelR]

Will the fuel in the manifold evaporate?

 

[410Fortune]

Yes but not quickly.
remove the #6 plug and let it drain, maybe turn the engine over by hand a few times?

(socket on the crank shaft pulley)

We are hoping that you did not damage the block or valves when you cranked the engine over while there WAS fuel in there (similar to a hydrolock)

Is #6 the only one with raw fuel in it still?

 

[RachelR]

I pulled #6 tried turning it over and no fuel came out, the manifold has enough to have poured out when opening, but now its on the bottom part only.

After reading about hydrolock I am certain thats how it broke down, when I got home from the tow I tried to turn it over and it was the clunk sound, after getting rid of the fuel from removing the upper intake manifold it didn't make that sound it attempted to turn over but filled up with fuel again, then after replacing the fuel pressure regulator and not removing the manifold and emptying it it wouldnt start but did try to turn over. I didn't try to turn it over but maybe 3 times with the clunk so i dont think i coulda done to much damage to it, especially since it tries to turn over now, just need to get rid of the fuel in the manifold.


Wow thanks so much for your help ya'll maybe Im actually getting somewhere now, was at a stand still.

oh and yes I have fire extinguisher and a hose hehe

Rachel

 

[section525]

Do the fuel rails check out visually?

 

[RachelR]

Looks good to me, thats the thing where the injectors are right under the upper intake manifold right?..if so its smooth and has a new gasket