The stumble grumble

[jiffydarren]

Hey all,

My engine felt fuel starved as I was driving the other day, I put in a new fuel filter and it seemed to help. It started to stumble and lose power once, but didn't do it again. Is that just air in the fuel system that was flushed out? Or is there something else I should look in to? When I went to prime the vehicle it took forever to prime it. The fuel pump wasn't coming on after the filter swap... Eventually it kicked back on and started. Just don't know where to go next on this one.

Thanks,

 

[Gadget X]

You may be looking at a new fuel pump, but first try swapping the A/C and fuel pump relays and see if that helps. The relays can be "finnicky" sometimes!

 

[OneofMany]

Air in the fuel system is typical with a filter change. electric fuel pumps do prime the system when you turn the ignition on but u should let it finish doing that before starting ( 5 secs or so ) after a filter change.

 

[FixingDaily]

You may be looking at a new fuel pump, but first try swapping the A/C and fuel pump relays and see if that helps. The relays can be "finnicky" sometimes!

Yes, those relays can and do fail (in my experience, usually during hotter outdoor temperatures). Also, in my 94, the pcm power relay is also in the path and needs to be checked too.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Air will leave the fuel system very quickly. If you have doubt and think there's air in the fuel, find a bumpy/gravel road that goes uphill and climb it slowly. The fuel pressure regulator sits in the front of the engine and this will send any air to it and back to the tank. Still, I've changed fuel filters in both of my Explorers, had the upper intake off a couple times and had the fuel system totally disconnected for a week. Never had to burp the system and only primed it once (key on, wait, key off, key on, wait, start).

If your problem doesn't come back, it could easily be a clogged fuel filter. Might be fun to crack it open and see what goodies lurk inside!

 

[malohnes]

Air will leave the fuel system very quickly. If you have doubt and think there's air in the fuel, find a bumpy/gravel road that goes uphill and climb it slowly. The fuel pressure regulator sits in the front of the engine and this will send any air to it and back to the tank. Still, I've changed fuel filters in both of my Explorers, had the upper intake off a couple times and had the fuel system totally disconnected for a week. Never had to burp the system and only primed it once (key on, wait, key off, key on, wait, start).

If your problem doesn't come back, it could easily be a clogged fuel filter. Might be fun to crack it open and see what goodies lurk inside!

Sums it up quite nicely, my experience reflects this as well.