Hey guys, I have a 2001 SCrew 4.6. I have done a search on this forum but have not seen this exact issue. This issue started about 2 months ago. I would get in my truck and try to start it and it would turn over fine but would not fire up. I turned the key on and checked the schrader valve and had no pressure. I thought "fuel pump" as it has only been 6 months since I changed my fuel filter. I had some starting fluid so I gave it a shot. It fired right up and stayed running. This issue did not happen again for another week or so. then it did it again after I filled the tank. I tried the starting fluid again and once again it fire right up. It has since done it a dozen times but has never quit on me once I get it to start. Any ideas?

 

Codes? How many miles on the engine? How many miles are on the spark plugs? What is the compression? What exactly is the fuel pressure before startup, after startup? Could be the fuel mixture is not being enriched when the engine is cold. Could be you have a vacuum leak? ???

 

No codes. No check engine light. Engine has 150+ on it. Plugs were replaced 30,000 miles ago. Not sure about compression or fuel pressure. Like I said, there was no pressure from the schrader valve when it would not fire. Once engine starts it sprays fuel out the schrader valve. It acts like the fuel pump doesnt work but once it fires off the starting fluid it runs fine and never cuts off while I'm driving.

 

I don't know exactly where to look for this issue, but there's a safety circuit that shuts the fuel pump off if the oil pressure drops below about 6 psi when running. There's an automatic override for starting, and it sounds like the override isn't working.

 

No, there isn't any such safety circuit...

Sounds like a typical failing fuel pump. Worn out brushes/commutator.

 

No low oil pressure shutdown on a 2001?

 

Nope. I've never seen one on any Ford but I haven't looked at the last few year models.

 

Thanks guys. I was thinking fuel pump as well but it just seemed strange that it would start pumping fuel when the engine fired with starting fluid. Just seems like if the pump was failing , starting fluid would not jump start it. I will try a new pump. Thanks!

 

The vibrations of the engine running "make" the intermittent contacts, just like beating on the tank can do, then the pump continues to run during that operating cycle, at least til the pump wears out some more and finally quits completely.

 

Thanks again. Pump is on order.

 

It's not that hard to check the fuel pressure on a 2001. Why not do that before you spend money on the shotgun method.

 

See post #5.

 

I disregarded that because it sounded too weird. If the pump is getting power, it should run on startup if it will run with the engine started on fluid. Unless, the difference in the voltage makes the difference.

 

One more time.... Intermittent brush/commutator connection due to wear.

Now, is this the particular issue with this particular truck? I dunno, but the symptoms are common enough and they fit.

 

Have you tried beating on the tank yet?