Hello every one, i am new to the forums, as well as the truck community, just bought my 2001 f-150 XL 6 months ago, and so far have changed oil twice, had fuel tank support straps changed by dealer (recall!), and had a disturbing issue with diesel getting into my fuel tank. I have also replaced rear left axle shaft, bearing and seal (thx to your guys' help here) and diff fluid while i was at it. Replaced battery 6 weks ago.

Info - V8 4.6l 2wd with super cab and 8' bed

About a month ago I had my truck seized because of an unpaid parking fine (i know its stupid...) It was towed to an impound lot where it sat for 30 days (min seizure duration) It was released yesterday and would not start or even turn over!

First thing tried: boosting/jumping the battery, wouldnt start, but turned over
Second thing tried: Boosting while using starter fluid in air intake, nearly started once, but after a few mins of trying, decided its best to stop, as not to mess anything up.

Got the truck towed home from the lot (20$ a day storage fees!)

Connected the battery to a charger, battery is now perfect again (as it is NEW)
Plugged in block heater as well (-5 to -15 here lately) i can hear it working

Try starting, turns over "well" but wont start.

Checked fuel pressure at passenger side rail, nothing at all, even after cycling key a dozen times.

Im really stumped here, is my fuel line/pump frozen up with moisture maybe?
Possible spark plug issues?

Next thing tomorrow will be to change fuel filter as it seems easy and cheap, not much money now considering I havent been working for over a month now.
Need my truck to get back to work ASAP! Any and all help would be so greatly appreciated, as I have no more ideas of my own at all!!!!

TY!

 

When you turn your key to the ON position, can you hear a hum or buzz, like the fuel pump is activating?

 

I do hear a noise from the back/box of the truck, like a buzzing, as well as a click from inder the hood/inside dash on driver side

 

Ok. The buzzing is the fuel pump, so you know that's working and can eliminate that from the list. I'm not sure what the click could be. Silly question here, but are you sure there's gas in the tank? You never know who could have done what in that 30 days it sat. When you tried to start it, and it was turning over "well," did you try to push the gas pedal a couple times? I know one time my jeep was being stupid and wouldn't start, but you could crank that thing till the cows came home, I had to push the pedal a few times to start it, but it would cut off as soon as I let off...I cleaned my TB and IAC, and it worked well after that.

 

Fuel tank has about 1/4 in it, i forgot to mention, i has also added some gas line anti-freeze yesterday (preventive i know, but thought maybe it would help, besides cheap at $1.75 a bottle) Maybe should add more gas?

Gas pedal seems to do nothing to help while cranking, no change at all.

 

Hmm. I'm really not sure what else to tell you. Try swapping out the fuel filter like you said, and by that time, if that doesn't work, I'm sure some of the more experienced guys on the site will have responded.

 

Cool, thanks for your immediate replies, I hope someone has some other good ideas too, Perhaps someone who does a lot of rebuilds and the like on trucks that sit for a while.

Fuel filter change tomorrow unless i get any better ideas, Please someone come up with something!

Ty in advance,

-Jerry-

 

Well if FP is running then fuel safety switch prob isn't tripped, but it woundn't hurt to chk.

I've had to hold pedal to floor after batt died once to get it to start. Thk the manual even says someting about that.

 

I just checked the inertia switch, its fully depressed

As stated before, pedal does nothing while cranking, seems that there is no fuel being delivered, at least not as far as the test valve

 

If you aren't getting any fuel pressure cycling the key several times the filter is stopped up or something with the fuel pump isn't right in my opinion. Others that know more will weigh in.

 

Good morning all,

Just bought my new fuel filter along with the cheapo plastic tool to remove the old one, seem to have some trouble getting it to slide into the female coupling, maybe just rust/corrosion?

Going back down to play with it some more...

PS also bought a new can of starter fluid, tried it in the air intake, and presto, the truck nearly runs for 2 secs at a a time! This to me is a good sign of hope of getting back to work today!

Any input would be appreciated!

 

Ok, fuel filter changed, try to start and nothing still!

Im really getting to my wits end, my truck was fine a month ago before they impounded it...

Dont know what else to check, please, any suggestions would be great!

 

Try running some fresh gas in there too? I had a similar problem with my 97 4.6L truck. It sat for a couple of weeks and wouldn't start when we tried, tried filter, pump was fine, then we tried anti-freeze and still nothing. So we went hard at it, poured fresh gas in as well as fuel injector cleaner product, started turning over, first 2 or 3 tries nothing and then finally she came alive. Let it run for a few minutes, it was pretty choppy, then it smoothed out perfect.

 

Will try fresh gas this afternoon

There is a new symptom to consider - shaking/vibrating while cranking, dont know if this is really a symptom of the problem, or just from cranking Sooooooo much

Temps here today are just about the freezing mark (much warmer than in past days) hoping that anyhting frozen will thaw out today

still not getting any fuel pressure at the test valve

Any other suggestions ?

 

New update - Added 5 gallons of gas, no change, re-confirmed fuel pump is running (by sound from under the truck), then used more starter fluid, got it to run for about 10 secs until fluid dried up. Still no pressure at all at fuel rail test valve.

Please someone help me!