Why is she dying?

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Dreman

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My poor little Sport Trac is dying!



I was driving to work this morning and suddenly she lost power. I pulled over to the shoulder and sat for a minute, then tried to start her again, but no joy. I sat for a few minutes more, and she started right up! But she only lasted for a few more minutes and miles. A second start and I was on the way home. This time the on-time was shorter still.



Anyway, I tried new fuel and air filter on the side of the road, which seemed to work at first. But she still died yet again, so I waited for my father-in-law to come get me.



She'll start right up even now, but won't last more than a minute. No check engine light or anything. Any thoughts on why she's dying?
 
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Fuel filter changed.



I REALLY did not want to change another fuel pump! I just did my old GMC last year! Any OTHER ideas?



Well, anybody know where the connector for the fuel pressure gauge is?
 
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... i posted that there was a recall on our fuel pumps....



same thing happened to me... for about a week, finally i went to the dealer and they informed me of the recall... (05 models)
 
You can use a fuel pressure gauge to first determine if the fuel pump is failing, before spending money on replacing it. You can get a pressure gauge kit for under $30 and it is easy to use.
 
Dreman,



There is a schrader valve on the injection rail. That is where you connect it to.



My money says fuel pump.



A failing pump, when it heats up loses pressure and volume. I have personally found over the years of fixing cars, a sure sign is runs great after it has been sitting but within a few minutes or with hot weather starts to cause problems.



Check pressure first, but my money says fuel pump.





Tom
 
I have a 2002 ST and the schrader valve is on the passenger side fuel rail, on the end towards the firewall (rear). I believe that about 60psi is normal pressure at idle.



I told this story already on another thread but it is worth repeating...



I once had a vehicle that usually ran fine but would unexpectedly stall at times. I eventually determined that this was caused by a fuel pump that failed only when the outside air temperature was very high, the vehicle was parked on hot asphalt for a while, and I was at a high altitude in the mountains. Apparently the warmer than normal fuel temperature in the tank along with lower air pressure caused the fuel pump to temporarily fail until things cooled off. It took a pressure gauge to troubleshoot and confirm this unusual cause. I didn't want to spend big bucks to replace the fuel pump on a hunch. I wanted to first confirm that it was really failing.

 
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The 2001-03 has the valve, The 04-05 does not......



Todd Z
 
You can still use a pressure gauge without a schrader valve connection. You just need a T-connector, clamps, and a little extra hose to hook it up.
 
Okay. I need a lesson. what is a Schrader valve, where is it, what does she do???? not trying to hikejack... if anything it might help others.
 
Schrader valve: The same valve that keeps the air in your tires.



<img src="http://members.shaw.ca/duff_brewery/CO2-3.jpg">
 
Well first off, for me anyway. Did it loose power slowly or did the engine just die and you coasted to a stop? Was there any noise when the engine stopped? Such as popping or a clicking noise? Did you notice the gauges all going dead at once? When you took the fuel filter out did alot of gas come out of the line under pressure? One quick way to check that fuel is getting to the fuel rail, is to depress the schrader valve (on the back of the passenger side of the engine) right after the engine quits running. If no or very little fuel comes out,then no pressure. BUT BE CAREFUL DOING THIS, THE FUEL WILL BE HOT AND WILL GO EVERYWHERE ON THE ENGINE. Better to put a rag around your hand and to cover the valve._Ron
 

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