No Idle & stumbles after fill up.

[Espresso]

Hello. I have awnsered most of my questions already. This may be related to them in a way. But I figured i'd ask first.
Ok here it goes. I just picked up the X yesterday. Went to start it & it ran like crap. Wouldnt rev, idle was crap, ect. I shut it off waited about a minute & it started up just fine & ran like a top. He said that he had just put fuel in it about 10 minutes ago & it did the same thing. I figured no problem, if it does it again, i'll look into it. Well last night I put about $20 of 89 oct in it. Same thing, stumble, no idle, stall... Wait a minute & starts & runs fine. Drove it around town last night. Started up just fine 5-6 times. This morning I get in it. Starts fine, no problems. But I notice the fuel gauge not working. It had 1/2 when parked last night. So I got to the gas station & top off the tank. WONT START, same problem. My wife is freaking out & I told her it would start in a minute & sure enough it did( mind yo uit will do this if I even only put $2 of fuel in it), but the fuel gauge still didnt work. I get home switch keys & sure enough the spare key makes the fuel gauge work( ho wthis is possible I have NO idea. it WILL NOT work with the Ford key)
Now things I ASSUME are wrong with it. The ever so popular fuel smell( under vehicle, by the door, yes the rubber vapor hose is cracked). I figure the fuel cap may need to be replaced, because it could be causing to high pressure in the tank( maybe??), which could also be leading up the X not starting on fillup.
Also it has 130xxx miles on it. But has been well taken care of.
But knowng this would you like I assume it is in the evap system? Like I said I just bought this yesterday, so my time wiith it has been limited. I'm still looking for the problem & will be doing the proper tune up. Fuel cap, filters, PCV, plugs, ect... Hopefulyy this should cure it.

TIA for any insight.


-Tom

 

[Espresso]

Well, i've been busy looking over the entire vehicle, replaced a few things( PCV & fuel cap) & found I may have a new engine. All the sensors are new & barely have any carbon build up, CV valve looked almost brand new. It is extremely clean( in areas not easily acessable by cleaning products, ect..). I just cant find the numbers on the block to verify it.
Ok, in my troubleshooting for the fuel smell. I have come to the conclusion it is coming from the top of the tank. All I did was hook up my air compressor with my hose fitting I have made for it & pressurized the vapor line with about 10 psi. Immediately I started smelling the fuel vapor, got under the X & it was plain as day coming from the top of the tank.
A correction to the above post. The fuel tank didnt have excessive pressure, there is no hiss from the tank when I take off the cap( there never was even before the new cap), so I was mistaken.
As for the stumbling. SInce the detailing mentioned. It hasnt had the rough idle at all. I have filled the tankup to the autostop( of course back again with the gas smell) & started it up. Runs fine. Drove it 70 miles stopped & started with no troubles.
NOW, I have had the charcoal canister disconnected on said trip. I dont know if it has anything to do with it, but by the looks of it it does.
So now, I capped off the hose going to the TB( solenoid) & put the vapor hose back on the Charcoal canister. I did this, this morning & it seems to be running fine.
On gas mileage i'm avg'ing 200 miles to 1/2 tank, right now. This hasnt changed since I purchased it. But ofcourse I havent even barely had it a week now, so long terms arent written in stone right quite yet. But with a full tank I drive 200 miles & fill it back up & it takes 9 gallons( remembe rthe fuel gauge isnt working correctly. As i'm sur eit has something to do with the tank. Maybe it's rusted out??

We shall see.
Awsome site here, The search function is helping wonderfully.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Your starting problem may be related to the PATS chip in your key. Theft system not reading it right. Do you have the no start problem if you use the spare key?