Bronco II dies of lack of fuel with plenty in tank

[chayse brooks]

Recently my 1985 Bronco II with a stock 2.8 Liter has been acting like I ran it out of gas even though it has gas in the tank. for example the other day I put in around 165 miles worth of gas into the tank and at around 130 it dies. I do believe this truck is apparently to be the year with two fuel pumps one on the block and one on the frame rail but it only has the one on the block. I have been running this truck like this with out problems until recently, what could be my problem?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not familiar with the stock fuel systems on the 85 b2. I think there is an in tank low pressure pump. If there is make sure its working. But first change fuel filters. My guess is there would be a small one where the fuel line enters the carb and maybe another on the frame rail under the drivers left foot area.

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[adsm08]

Are you filling the tank and checking fuel mileage, or are you just putting a few gallons in and saying "well it should go this far"?

That is going to be a major factor in how you approach this diagnosis.

 

[chayse brooks]

I'm not familiar with the stock fuel systems on the 85 b2. I think there is an in tank low pressure pump. If there is make sure its working. But first change fuel filters. My guess is there would be a small one where the fuel line enters the carb and maybe another on the frame rail under the drivers left foot area.

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I have replaced the fuel filter sorry for not saying so before and ever since it started doing this I have started filling it up and setting the trip meter. I will give that a try as im dropping the tank soon to replace the sending unit.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You mention a pump on the frame rail. I bet that is actually a fuel filter. I believe it will be behind a metal bracket.

Also, I found it easier to cut an access panel above the tank and cover the hole with a piece scavenged from a truck box. I have a build thread somewhere on a b2 I owned with pics of the access panel. If you can't find it ,pm me and I'll find it for you.

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[AndyB.]

The pump on the block is the only one you have, the fuel filter at the carburetor is the only one you have.

It's possible the pick up tube on your sending unit is broken, leaking, or rusted off.

 

[chayse brooks]

The pump on the block is the only one you have, the fuel filter at the carburetor is the only one you have.

It's possible the pick up tube on your sending unit is broken, leaking, or rusted off.

Thats what I was thinking it might be and I hope it is because I have to replace the sending unit any way. Next week I will drop my tank and pull it to see since I wont get to use a nice warm shop until then.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The following pics are pretty much explain themselves. They are of a b2 I bought with a 4.0 transplant. I was told the pump came from a mustang. I no longer own this. I felt this was easier than dropping the tank to fix the pump.
edit; it should be noted that I never had rug back there to begin with. I don't know how difficult r+r the rug would be.

 

[jeremysdad]

That looks really smart, floored. As in, it looks good. lol

 

[chayse brooks]

The following pics are pretty much explain themselves. They are of a b2 I bought with a 4.0 transplant. I was told the pump came from a mustang. I no longer own this. I felt this was easier than dropping the tank to fix the pump.
edit; it should be noted that I never had rug back there to begin with. I don't know how difficult r+r the rug would be.

that looks a lot easier than dealing with a bunch of rusty hardware but how did you get it to stay in place when you put it back? did you just weld it or was there another way of doing it?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I never did get around to finalizing it. My plan was to use a bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the bottom and let it dry before screwing down the top plate. Letting it dry would make it easier to remove if necesary. FYI silicone caulk will NOT stick to itself once cured, probably why so many silicone caulking jobs leak.

 

[chayse brooks]

thanks for the help everyone. I got my problem solved, turned out the pick up tube had rusted and wasn't picking up fuel. this probably happened when the last owner let it sit in the weather and with a good tank of gas in it.

 

[AndyB.]

Glad it worked out. I replaced the sending unit in my '85 Ranger last spring, and had an accurate gage for the first time since 1996. I was so proud I drove my truck into work (it's not my primary vehicle). I went to lunch, started up my truck, watched the gage go to F, then slowly drop back down to E. Someone had swapped a cracked float onto the sending unit and returned the item. I didn't think to check the new part. I hope to never have to drop the tank again--twice in a month was enough.

 

[UAFS]

checking new parts

That´s something I should try to remember. It´s hard since I´m always excited after buying something... (or during).