ran out of gas - wants to stall | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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ran out of gas - wants to stall

sonik

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 9, 2003
Messages
225
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1
City, State
Seattle, WA
Year, Model & Trim Level
'94 XLT
Skip the first few paragraphs if you don't want to read a little story :) Well, I ran out of gas for the first time today - when these Ford's hit E on the gas gauge there must not be a gallon or so to go like some other cars. Anyway, I got an alignment done and pulled out of the place. About 2 blocks down the road it's running badly and I'm about to pull around to raise hell at the shop. I stop at a red light, it dies, she barely fires back up, and I pull off to the side of the road. I tried to start her a few more times. Now I remember a couple days ago I only had about a 1/5 of a tank left. Well, I do some walking and get a gallon then drove her back to top her off.

At this point she wants to stall when at a stop. I had to put it in park and raise the rpms to keep it from stalling. I stopped by an auto parts place to get a fuel filter because I thought I heard once that it should be replaced after running out of gas. I make it home and crack open the Haynes manual to discover I need some special tool to get the filter off. By now the auto parts stores are closed.

I remembered that the volt guage was jumping around when it was about to stall so I took out the battery and it's hooked up to a charger now. I have concerns about the battery, it looks like it's the original 84 mo Motorcraft battery, and the terminals and cables needed a good brushing. The alignment place may have also left the truck idling awhile, or turned it off and on a few times... they had to test drive it three times. The rest of the stuff under the hood looks super clean - maybe too clean for a 10 year old 95k truck (got it at a dealer).

SO, tomorrow I'll need to get that fuel filter tool and replace the filter unless for reason the battery turned out to be the problem. When it was running I heard what sounded like air blowing or maybe water (fuel?) going through something at a high pressure behind the steering wheel. I had someone keep the rpms up while I checked under the hood but couldn't hear anything. A/C and heater were not on. It wasn't there with the ignition only in the ON position - just when running. Did I smell gas? Well, I had a just emptied portable gas tank in the back so I smelled that.

I know Ford says the fuel filter shuoldn't need to be replaced, so maybe I'm just wasting my time with that. If anyone can offer a few words of encouragment or can help diagnose my problem (well, just the truck's problems for now) that would be great.
 



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With the latest technologies of computer controlled ignitions, engines, etc. you still have to consider the basics when torubleshooting problems. They haven't changed since the Model A times. They are fuel, air, and electrical, in that order.
If your vehicle ran out of fuel, and subsequently has problems, check the entire fuel system (usually the fuel filter). Your concerns abut the battery seem unrelated to the symptoms you describe.
Once you know you have a good fuel flow and pressure, check for air. That is from the air intake thru the filter, to the throttle body, etc. Sensors and vacuum hoses are included in this check. Last resort is the electrical system. This is a last check because most problems originate from the problems of fuel/ air mixture type anomalies.
 






I replaced the fuel filter and poured in a bottle of injector cleaner. She runs better, but still pretty rough. In Park the rpms stay pretty steady at 6-700, but the engine and whole truck rattle back and forth like the rpms are fluctuating more. I measured 34 psi at the fuel rail. That hiss/leaking sound is still coming from the driver's side of the engine, I don't think it was there before the troubles started. I believe 34 psi is normal, so I'm guessing the fuel flow from the fuel pump and filter is strong.... what else should I be looking at?
 






Your fuel pump is fried. The fuel pump gets very hot, and the gasoline acts as a coolant. When you run out of gas, it is essentially pumping air and over-heats itself. Replace the pump (PITA unfortunately) and the problem should go away...sorry. Be careful not to run the truck out or low on gasoline. Don't trust a gas gauge. Keep it filled up.
 






Sounds like it has a vacuum leak to me. Check thoroughly for lines that may have popped off. If it's a vacuum leak, it will cause the engine to run very rough as you described.
 






i wouldnt suspect the fuel pump..could be but my girlfriend has run the 91 out of gas several times. i would say he ran out and then only put a little gas back in so he has a bunch of junk floating around. run it back down, replace the filter and fill up with premium. other thing i did on my 93 when it was runing rough was replace the PCV valve..if i remember right, it was on drivers side around the fireewall...right abouts where that noise is coming from. i have had to replace the fuel pump on my last ford (contour) at only 70k bu tit was some major bad gas..i doubt his would go this soon.
 






Im with Jason...

Check your vacuum lines. You may have popped one off. A hiss on the driverside is a pretty common Explorer problem - leads to a vacuum line off the tee at the rear of the intake manifold. And everyhting you describe would be happening- I think you are chasing ghosts with the fuel filter.

Good Luck.
 






My 99 had no idle for a while - as soon as I took my foor off the gas, it stalled. The solution was to replace the PCV valve (as suggested above). It's a cheap and easy thing to do so you may want to try that before you spend a lot of time and money on some of those others. Also, if you're at 95k, you're probably about due for a new one.
 






Well, turned out to be a vacuum leak. There's was a big hose coming off that "tee" going nowhere which I thought was suppose to expunge something not wanted. When I had the truck running I hooked the hose up to my finger and it started idling great :) I clamped it on the brake booster and all is fine now. I figured since the problem started right after a fuel mishap then the fault was in the fuel system.

Thanks for the tips everyone.
 






I wonder why running out of gas caused the line to pop off?
 






Good question. I was definately out of gas though. The truck bucking and repeated failed start attemps may have jarred it loose, it doesn't fit very snug without the clamp.
 






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