2000 4.6 will not start

[designit]

4.6 motor 2000yr

runs on gas down the air intake for 30 seconds +/- then dies when used up.
PATS fine, key fine.
Fuel reset (button?) feels like it's locked in the depressed position... (Don't know), I didn't feel anything to press down. (assume that's fine or I would have felt a button that was able to be pressed down, right?)

Key to 'on' position, - No noise whatsoever coming from the gas tank. tapped tank with rubber mallet, - and nothing.

Can you 'for sure' hear the pump motor come on for a couple seconds when key is @ on position? Meaning it's not such a faint noise you almost need a steathoscope to hear...

I can't check for pressure right this second, no gauge... Although I assume if the pump is dead there would NOT be fuel coming out @ the motor anyway, yes?

 

[Lane24]

Wow. I hope you are getting a great deal on a truck that doesn't run. I've had vacuum issues where the truck would die if you took your foot of the gas, but it didn't hurt it from starting in the first place. You probably have both fuel pump issues and vacuum issues. Check the vacuum assembly as well.
The 5.4l has major issues with the little elbow going into the intake. It crumbles or cracks causing an aweful rough idle and CEL. You can replace the whole hose for about $30 or just freestyle yourself a new elbow. I'm not sure if the 4.6 is the same but I can only assume.
Like I said, the vacuum isn't what is causing the bad start up, but could be why it won't keep running.

Here is a handy link about that elbow, and cleaning your MAF to get rid of some of the rough idle issues. Someone else hopefully will chime in about the fuel pump, relays etc.
http://fordexpeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=50

 

[designit]

Oh yeah... And I only have 2 weeks to put all that I can into it... I fix it, I'll buy it... This is a 'try and fix' before you buy deal I made with the used car lot on a small refundable deposit... (which was nice of them to allow)

If some of you tech guys wouldn't mind bookmarking me for a couple weeks & check in often... I'll post updates on a regular basis with details...

Thanks so much, appreciated. I hope I'm able to complete the deal...

 

[Lane24]

Does your theft light flash before it shuts off? If it was a PATS (anti theft) issue, it would turn over for a second or 2 and then shut off with your theft light flashing. Mine did that after I installed the remote starter, and didn't have the right PATS bypass.

On mine, when the PATS is engaged, not only is the fuel pump shut off, but everything under the hood. So I don't think it would have run at all even after you force fed it the gas.

 

[designit]

Does your theft light flash before it shuts off?

It's not PATS... Called the dealer and as you say, the car wouldn't even start when pouring gas down the air intake. -- Which b.t.w. it fired right up and burnt the rest of the gas in the motor from yesterday.

PATS & key are good it appears or wouldn't start (as above).

Looks like the place to start is fuel pressure / pump / filter / reset... Yes?

 

[designit]

Going in for fuel pump / filter replace tomorrow.

 

[Lane24]

Hope that's it. Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[designit]

Should know in a few hours..

Got a P0230 yesterday. "Fuel pump primary circuit malfunction"

Which I assume is the pump motor on the pump itself.

 

[designit]

Ahh, the sweet sound of a fuel pump....

Now I have no stinking idea what I'm going to do about the fuel lines (quick connectors) at the fuel filter... Someone crimped them so that the business end of the lines are more oval shaped than round... And the little spring mechanism inside the connector is - well -- sprung it seems...

Anyone ever tried to splice the flex end of the fuel lines with good connectors... You'd obviously want something of a splice like that to handle at least 100 lbs of pressure with no issues...

 

[designit]

update ---------
CEL on... noticed Air temp sensor was disconnected... I connected it, restarted.. CEL went off... (wiper light stayed on though...) >> Just a washer fluid sensor I figured out...

-----------------------
Now:

the CEL came back on... (forget the wiper for now... There's a leak in the tank & won't hold wiper fluid)

CEL came back on after a couple sessions of idle for 10/15 minutes > cool down > restart...

Disconnected battery... CEL off again now... (learning itself I suspect)...

Motor at idle is super nice sounding...

When I slowly put the gas on, everything sounds good all the way through for the most part...

IF I PUNCH THE GAS... Everything opens up and it almost sounds like the engine wants to gag on it's own gas... POP POP POP POP POP until reaching either a little speed or 2-3000 rpm...

I don't know what a V8 engine is supposed to sound like on these... -- It almost sounds like 99EXPY's video he made in the snow...

I hear these noises in the cab -- real loud -- and it just seems to me that there should be more HP or gitty-up with all that noise... Again, I just have no baseline to draw from with 0 experience with this car (or this big of motor...)

What say you guys?... Still going to stick the computer on it & check... But timing with the neighbor (mech) is hit and miss...

Could be it just sat for 9 months.. Needs full service - major tune etc...?

Evedently the dealer had the heads replaced when he baught it at auction 14 months ago...

Advise?

Thanks guys...