Engine start problem with 95 Ford E150 van - Keep gas at 1/2 full and don't park on hills?

[caseyc]

I have a 1995 Ford E150 conversion van.&nbsp; I sometimes have this mysterious problem that not even the Ford dealer service dept can figure out.&nbsp; I may have asked this question earlier, but I now have some new information.<br><br>Sometimes, and very sporadically, the van engine will not turn over.&nbsp; It will crank when I turn the key, as if the engine will start, but I just hear the chug, chug, chug, but nothing happens.&nbsp; It may take literally a dozen or more turn of the key over a period of 30 to 45 minutes, and then finally the engine turns over and I can drive the van.<br><br>Today I spoke with my Ford service rep&nbsp;again&nbsp;to describe the problem which just occurred again yesterday.&nbsp;&nbsp;This time the rep says my engine may be starved of gasoline because my van was parked at a slight uphill (with the hood slightly higher), plus my gas tank was a little under quarter tank left.&nbsp;<br><br> The service rep explained that due to the position of the gas pump/tank (or whatever) the low amount of gas is at a tilted angle, therefore the engine might not&nbsp;start when turning the key.&nbsp; The rep also says this is exactly the same problem that some Ford Explorers have because that vehicle has a similar design.&nbsp; Anyone have a Ford Explorer with this same problem?????<br><br>The rep says there is no fix for this problem, and the only thing to do to&nbsp;help avoid this problem is to keep the gas level at least half full at all times, plus don't park on hills especially with the front of the van at a higher level.<br><br>Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?&nbsp; Any ideas?&nbsp; This is so frustrating when the engine doesn't start for over a half hour or longer.&nbsp; I've already done&nbsp;preventive repairs such as replacing the fuel pump and starter, but this doesn't help.<br><br>Thanks,<br>Casey<br><br>EDIT:&nbsp; Upon doing a Google search for Ford Explorer having this problem, I found a post that matches the same problem my Ford E150 van is having.<br><br>Check this out:<br><br><a href="http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343329" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343329</a><br><br><a href="http://www.google.com/#hl=en&amp;sc...;fp=c9619fe40356c5f7&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=638" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/#hl=en&amp;sc...;fp=c9619fe40356c5f7&amp;biw=1280&amp;bih=638</a><br><br><br><br>

 

[travlinman and wife]

had same problem with f150 truck .&nbsp; woud run fine turn it off and it may not start .let set 30mi and it wood start. Ihad never changed the fule filter and it has 225000 miles so I changed the filter and every is ok now. may not be your problem but it would not hurt to look into it,

 

[caseyc]

I'm glad to hear that changing the fuel filter fixed your problem.&nbsp; Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. So frustrating.&nbsp; I'm having my Ford service rep look into this issue, hopefully there is a fix.

 

[highdesertranger]

here is a little heads up when you turn your key to start and your engine is spinning over then you engine is turning over.&nbsp; if it's turning over and will not start then it is not firing.&nbsp; using the correct terms when explaining to a mechanic helps allot.&nbsp; the explanation your dealer gave you doesn't make sense because nothing has changed form when it doesn't fire till it does.&nbsp; ie still parked on a hill.&nbsp; sounds like a electrical or computer problem to me.&nbsp; I do not no how mechanical you are but this is what I would do.&nbsp; next time this happens spray a little quick start into the air intake after the air cleaner if it fires then its a fuel issue.&nbsp; if it still doesn't fire pull a plug wire and check for spark.&nbsp; these two steps will narrow down were the problem is.&nbsp; if you do this and post the results I will try to help you narrow it down more.&nbsp; good luck.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[Zil]

It could be something electronic like the computer or a sensor. HDR has the right idea, narrow the problem. I used carb cleaner as starting fluid, as I thought it safer, but do find out if it is fuel related.

 

[Zil]

As Ford has a service bulletin on this problem and you have a replacement pump, after market parts do not always work.

 

[user 423]

Info on in-tank pumps I've seen say you should always keep your tank 1/2 full so the pump runs cooler and will last longer but I guess fuel starvation on hills is another reason. <br><br>I would balk at the fix the guy used that dropped the pickup lower in the tank because it may suck up more crud and condensed water that settles to the bottom of the tank.

 

[caseyc]

Apparently, there is positively some validity in that ExplorerForum article, at least in my own experience.&nbsp; My van was at barely 1/4 tank of gas, possibly lower. I was parked slightly uphill whereby the front of the van was higher.&nbsp; My van engine had a problem starting (for lack of the correct terminology jargon).&nbsp; The van finally started after trying repeatedly for over half an hour.&nbsp; When the van finally started, I immediately went to a gas station to fill up the tank.&nbsp; I parked at a level surface at the gas station, shut off the engine, then turned it&nbsp;back on with no problems. I did this 3 times successfully which pretty much proves that even with low&nbsp;gas level, my van engine will still start as long as it's on a level surface.&nbsp; <br><br>I then went back to the same spot to park that was at a slight uphill.&nbsp; Sure enough, there was no problem starting the van engine again with the full gas&nbsp;tank, and I successfully repeated this multiple times.&nbsp; The description of this problem matches pretty much exactly what the owners of the Ford Explorers are saying, except that some users were reporting engine stalls while driving, which is much worse.&nbsp; I'm hoping there is a replacement part that will fix the problem.&nbsp; In the meantime, I need to remember to keep my van filled at least half full of gas, in order to "safely" park on streets with hills.&nbsp; Otherwise, I would need to park on level ground if I'm at low gas level.&nbsp; Oh brother, there's always something!<br><br>By the way, I had previously dropped of my van to the Ford service dept on 2 separate occasions to try to remedy this problem.&nbsp; Each time, the Ford dealer kept my van at their lot for several days to see if they can replicate the problem of the engine not starting.&nbsp; Both times, Ford would report back to me they found no problem whatsoever, even though they tested the vehicle every day and did various tests.&nbsp; I was so frustrated that they couldn't diagnose the problem!&nbsp; But in hindsight now, that may be because the Ford dealer lot is on flat ground, plus I had probably filled up the gas tank, or at least it wasn't near empty.<br><br>I may be interested to go back to the Ford dealer to try to replicate the same problem now that I know what the symptoms are.&nbsp; But even still, the Ford rep person told me there is no fix for owners of the Ford Explorer which have (or had) the same similar problem as mine.&nbsp; But I'm hoping the service dept will read that article more indepth, and can hopefully find a replacement part for my van to "cure" this problem.<br><br>Casey

 

[Zil]

A spray of starter fluid or carb cleaner in the intake.

 

[joey]

I have had the same problem before,and it is caused by the pick-up tube in the gas tank being to short. Mine would die on me if I let it get below a 1/4 of a tank. &nbsp;&nbsp;

 

[idn88]

Random problems are extremely difficult to troubleshoot on the very best of days by the very best of mechanics. &nbsp;The best you can do for yourself and your mechanic is to start eliminating any variable you can from the mix. &nbsp;Since there may be a fuel pickup problem as a potential keep the tank half full or more and see what happens. &nbsp;<br><br>Also, each time it happens make specific notes - ie was the engine warm or cold when it wouldn't start, etc. &nbsp;Keep narrowing things down until you get to the exact set of circumstances that cause the problem, and that will limit the possible problem areas.<br><br><br>

 

[caseyc]

<span style="line-height: 16px;">Zil,<br><br>From your reply "A spray of starter fluid or carb cleaner in the intake."<br><br>I don't know what this is. &nbsp;What exactly is this, and what does it do?<br><br>Thanks,<br>Casey<br><br><br></span>

 

[user 423]

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_fluid#Four_strokes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_fluid#Four_strokes<br><br>The first part of the write-up is mainly for small engines like lawn mowers but the rest applies to cars.<br></a><br>The air intake tube will be located somewhere behind the grille, probably near the top?(not familiar w/Fords). Join the forum at the link below for future mechanical questions. There are other Ford forums...Google.<br><br><a href="http://www.fordforums.com/f115/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.fordforums.com/f115/</a>

 

[rokguy]

<EM>Also helps to have another person to spray while you crank the engine.<BR>Electrically......If you turn the key and warning lights go out with no sound or start it is usually a loose wire to the starter relay or turn the key and all you here is clicking its the relay itself on top of the starter.</EM><BR><EM>Geoff</EM>

 

[wrcsixeight]

+1 on Ford specific forums for ford specific problems.<br><br>If it were a Dodge with this issue I would say to turn the key on(not start) and off several times to build fuel pressure, because the check valve (one way valve) had likely failed and is allowing the pressure to drop, accentuated by parking angle and low fuel levels.

 

[coultergeist]

This may sound screwy, but I think you should check your engine ground and/or ground straps.&nbsp; Often times, especially with Fords, if you have seemingly random electrically related problems, a loose engine ground strap is the cause.&nbsp; This is especially true for intermittent problems like you are having.&nbsp; The ground strap is usually at the bottom back of the engine and usually attaches it to the frame.&nbsp; Find it and take it off at both ends.&nbsp; Make sure both mounting points are clean and then reattach it securely.&nbsp; The computer in Ford vehicles uses quite a bit of power and is pretty finicky about the power it gets.&nbsp; A loose engine ground cable can cause it to have difficulties like yours.&nbsp; Making sure the engine ground is good may fix your problem entirely.

 

[caseyc]

I'm still waiting for the Ford service rep to call me back regarding the online article I emailed to him. &nbsp;Honestly, I don't have too much faith in that particular Ford dealership. &nbsp;Maybe another Ford dealer might be more responsive. &nbsp;I realize it's hard to diagnose a problem that cannot be replicated on demand...but still. &nbsp;<br><br>Plus this is the same Ford dealership that could NOT diagnose the problem for why my van's ABS brake light keeps routinely coming on while driving. &nbsp;The reason they gave me is that for my 1995 year Ford E150, they don't have the particular diagnostic tool that can hook up to my van's outlet for the diagnostic repair codes. Further, they said that no Ford dealer has the required diagnostic tool within 200 miles. &nbsp;Lame, totally pathetic! &nbsp;How can a Ford dealer not have the right diagnostic tool to hook up to my van to explain why my ABS brake light coming on? &nbsp;<br><br>For the meantime, I will always keep my gas tank at least 1/2 full at all times, seeing that I regularly park on hills. &nbsp;I will update again on this. &nbsp;This problem is sooooooo frustrating to not have the engine start, and worse, when a Ford dealer tells me they can't figure out any problem. &nbsp;I had already spent over $1,200 for replacement parts trying to fix this problem, but nothing has worked. &nbsp;Crazy.<br><br>Casey<br><br>

 

[user 423]

Question: has this problem EVER happened when you are parked level?<br><br><br>It's hard to believe they can't pull the codes. Check at local auto parts stores as they will pull codes for free (if they have the right scanner). Ask them specifically if they can pull ABS codes.

 

[idn88]

The old ford ABS used a proprietary ABS code reader to read the codes stored in the ABS module: &nbsp;- from a 1995 Ford Manual -&nbsp;<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The anti-lock brake control module (2B373) is capable of performing on-board diagnostics using Rotunda NGS Tester 007-00500 or equivalent.</span><br><br><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Your van is 18 years old. &nbsp;The Ford Dealer is used to working on very new vehicles. &nbsp; If there like most dealers, they probably have a number of techs that have never worked or been trained on something that old. &nbsp;I certainly don't know enough about this dealer to give you any advice, but generically you need to find a mechanic somewhere that was working on new fords 18 years ago - whether currently at a Ford dealer or not.</span><br><br><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I would take the advice of those above, check your ground strap (always good idea), keep tank full, and narrow down exactly when this happens before you spend more of your money paying&nbsp;someone to chase ghosts for you.</span><br><br><br>

 

[James AKA Lynx]

Have you changed the fuel pump, all of it, recently?<br><br>There is a back flow valve that wears out. There may also be one in the carb.<br><br>James AKA Lynx