simple tests to do if you get stalled

[docraymund]

Good day, my 4.6 expy 2000 stalled today and wont run any more -got towed. It cranks good I just bought a new battery. My question is, how do you check for the presence of fuel pump pressure on a 4.6 when your out in the field? And how do you make simple tests to rule out the causes of stalling? Thank you very much always trusted this site for reliable information.

 

[toms89]

Prime suspect would be fuel pump failure.

It is located in the fuel tank and runs for approximately 2 to 3 seconds when the key is first rotated to the "run" position. Listen carefully for it running in these first few seconds. If you hear nothing there is a good chance it has failed. This would be much easier to check with a helper.

The following method I am hesitant to recommend due to the potential fire hazard if you do not know what your doing can be done in the field. You may try this if you failed to hear the fuel pump just to confirm.....

You could quickly depress the schrader valve on the fuel rail just to check for presence of fuel pressure. Hold rag around it as you do this to catch fuel if pressure happens to be good. If fuel just oozes out or you have nothing fuel pump has quit.

 

[srs7324]

I got stranded about a year ago and my son got stranded last week with the exact same issue.

toms89 is correct on the first 2 checks,

but I believe there should be a release of pressure when you take your fuel cap off.
No suck of air when pull the cap off is a sure sign of a weak cap or if it will not start a fuel pump failure.

If it is the fuel pump get ready for about $200 for a complete pump assembly BEST CHOICE, or 100 for just the fuel pump, then about 150 to 175 for installation.

 

[Jay87LX]

Any chance the emergency fuel shut off switch was triggered?

 

[docraymund]

Thank you very much for your replies. I will definitely follow your suggestions and I dont know if the emergency shut off was triggered, I was the only one in the truck and I didnt bump on anything. What I did notice was it usually happens when I am going uphill it stumbles until the engine stops. I just wait for 20 mins. then it would start again. But now it wont run anymore.

 

[docraymund]

Forgot to ask: is the 4.6L triton an engine with a timing belt or with a timing chain? And is it an interference engine? Also would a bad crankshaft position sensor cause a sudden stall? Thanks.

 

[toms89]

Thank you very much for your replies. I will definitely follow your suggestions and I dont know if the emergency shut off was triggered, I was the only one in the truck and I didnt bump on anything. What I did notice was it usually happens when I am going uphill it stumbles until the engine stops. I just wait for 20 mins. then it would start again. But now it wont run anymore.

Depending on the grade of the hill and amount of fuel in the tank you may have been running the fuel pump dry or introducing air into the lines.

Not good for the fuel pump as the fuel is used to cool it.

My bet is the fuel pump failed.

 

[toms89]

Forgot to ask: is the 4.6L triton an engine with a timing belt or with a timing chain? And is it an interference engine? Also would a bad crankshaft position sensor cause a sudden stall? Thanks.

Chain.

Yes.

Always possible but not typically. Based on your description with stumbling on inclines most likely fuel related.

 

[docraymund]

Thank you very much. I tried to listen to listen to the pump while my daughter switched the ignition. I thought I heard one click near the rear don't know if it's a relay or the fuel pump. I read another post regarding a fuel filter issue that's connected to the supply line. Is the fuel filter on a 2000 expy 4..6 inside or outside of the tank? I am slightly familiar with electric fuel pumps since I also have an austin mini 850 cc and yes it makes 2 or 3 clicks when you turn the ignition on.

Thanks for all the posts I wouldn't want to replace unnecessary parts and labor here would not be cheap especially if they saw it was an expy.

 

[toms89]

Thank you very much. I tried to listen to listen to the pump while my daughter switched the ignition. I thought I heard one click near the rear don't know if it's a relay or the fuel pump. I read another post regarding a fuel filter issue that's connected to the supply line. Is the fuel filter on a 2000 expy 4..6 inside or outside of the tank? I am slightly familiar with electric fuel pumps since I also have an austin mini 850 cc and yes it makes 2 or 3 clicks when you turn the ignition on.

Thanks for all the posts I wouldn't want to replace unnecessary parts and labor here would not be cheap especially if they saw it was an expy.

High pressure fuel pump (fuel injection) on the expedition will make a whining noise if it is running not a click. I have a low pressure electric fuel pump (for use with carburetor) on my boat that clicks. Entirely different noise. You may have heard the fuel pump relay kicking on and off.

The fuel filter should be located under the drivers side door area near the frame. Follow the fuel lines and you should be able to locate it easily.

 

[JUST4FUN]

This test is the easiest
1. remove the snow shield 2. remove the air intake hose 3. as you crank the engine
spray some carb cleaner in the TB and open the butterfly if it starts its fuel problem
if not its electrical

 

[BIGRED03]

Fuel pump sounds

Thank you very much. I tried to listen to listen to the pump while my daughter switched the ignition. I thought I heard one click near the rear don't know if it's a relay or the fuel pump. I read another post regarding a fuel filter issue that's connected to the supply line. Is the fuel filter on a 2000 expy 4..6 inside or outside of the tank? I am slightly familiar with electric fuel pumps since I also have an austin mini 850 cc and yes it makes 2 or 3 clicks when you turn the ignition on.

Thanks for all the posts I wouldn't want to replace unnecessary parts and labor here would not be cheap especially if they saw it was an expy.

The fuel pump should make a distinct whining noise maybe like some older dvd players getting up to speed. Like a desktop pc booting up or a small electric motor in a child's toy. It's building up pressure at the tank and at the injectors.

 

[GaExpedition]

Just a tip that I haven't seen mentioned yet is if you don't hear the fuel pump "whine" when the key is turned forward, get someone to TAP on the bottom of the fuel tank while the other person tries to crank it. Sometimes this trick will be enough to get it running, and get you home, or at least somewhere safe to work on it. May not work every time, but has worked for me more times than I can count on several different vehicles.

 

[Lightnig]

...

Always possible but not typically. Based on your description with stumbling on inclines most likely fuel related.

^^^ THIS!!!


Check your fuel level/pressure/volume - first and foremost.

 

[toms89]

Just a tip that I haven't seen mentioned yet is if you don't hear the fuel pump "whine" when the key is turned forward, get someone to TAP on the bottom of the fuel tank while the other person tries to crank it. Sometimes this trick will be enough to get it running, and get you home, or at least somewhere safe to work on it. May not work every time, but has worked for me more times than I can count on several different vehicles.

Good advise.. Specially if your not in a position to replace the pump where it sits.

Done this on a S10 before (not mine) and it took a bit more than a tap. Hit the fuel tank sharply with the largest tool I had on hand after a few light hits failed to get it running. So be prepared to be a bit more forceful if necessary.

 

[GaExpedition]

Good advise.. Specially if your not in a position to replace the pump where it sits.

Done this on a S10 before (not mine) and it took a bit more than a tap. Hit the fuel tank sharply with the largest tool I had on hand after a few light hits failed to get it running. So be prepared to be a bit more forceful if necessary.

Never had to hit one that hard before, but I wouldn't doubt it for a second. Maybe I should have said hit it with something that isn't sharp enough to puncture it...lol

 

[docraymund]

Update: I had my daughter switch on the ignition tonight and I inserted a short piece of hose to listen for the pump -nothing. This is what I dreaded most: expensive repair. Had the truck for 2 years and just used it once a month only for short distances now this happens. Could you guys tell me how much would it cost in terms of labor and parts? And how can I cut down on expenses? And would the fuel pump be the most often replaced part in an expy? Sorry for all the questions and thanks.

 

[docraymund]

Update: found a local seller -price for assembly is $319.00 -price for pump only is $64.00 -labor is $85.00. Don't know if it's oem. Which should I get? thanks