1988 2.9 fuel accumulator/reservoir removal

[Wyoman]

Hi. I am trying to remove the fuel accumulator because it is leaking and I can’t loosen/tighten the bowl with it installed. When I remove the lower fuel line (blue) coming from the tank, fuel runs out of the line and does not stop. I expected this line to only have fuel when the pump is running. Maybe it’s siphoning? Does anyone know the correct procedure for this removal? Any help is appreciated!

 

[franklin2]

You need some sort of reservoir to supply the high pressure rail pump with a constant fuel supply. If Ford could have left it off, they would have. That being said, Ford did get rid of it in later years. Someone may know the exact year, but they went to one single high pressure pump in the tank, and did away with the reservoir and the high pressure frame mounted pump. After researching it a little bit, it seems they did away with this by putting a special sock on the pickup of the in tank high pressure pump, just like one of those holley fuel mats. That must soak up the fuel and keep it supplied while you go around a turn or hit the brakes.

So if you found the proper high pressure in tank setup, you most likely could get rid of it, I think a few guys on here have done it.

 

[franklin2]

P.S. From what I can tell on rockauto, 1988 used two fuel pumps like yours, but 1989 only used one pump in the tank. It will be a project, re-doing lines, re-doing wires, and you might have to buy a plug pigtail to plug into the new sending unit if yours doesn't fit.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

89 started the single high pressure pump in the tank. Much simpler system. I’ve heard something about the fuel gauge may not be compatible without modifications but I’m not really sure. I know when I can get back to putting my 88 together it’s getting a plastic tank and single high pressure tank pump. Then I’m eliminating all the factory junk. Because I’ve gotten myself set up to do AN lines, I’ll run all new stuff in stainless braided PTFE, but there’s other ways to do new lines, Dorman makes stuff to do the nylon factory type and you can always go the cheap route of rubber fuel injection line and Ni-copper or aluminum hard line. I just replaced all of the lines on my 89 Choptop earlier this year. Did the new plastic tank and pump before that and the old nylon lines were pinholed like crazy.

 

[Wyoman]

P.S. From what I can tell on rockauto, 1988 used two fuel pumps like yours, but 1989 only used one pump in the tank. It will be a project, re-doing lines, re-doing wires, and you might have to buy a plug pigtail to plug into the new sending unit if yours doesn't fit.

Thanks! I will repair or replace the one I have instead of eliminating it. My current problem is the fuel leakage from the disconnected line. I don't think I can crimp the line without breaking it. Do I just need to fashion a plug of some sort?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Don't try to crimp it closed... it will break.

It's siphoning because the line is lower then the fuel level in the tank.

 

[franklin2]

Thanks! I will repair or replace the one I have instead of eliminating it. My current problem is the fuel leakage from the disconnected line. I don't think I can crimp the line without breaking it. Do I just need to fashion a plug of some sort?

I can't tell you exactly how the reservoir works inside, I know it has some valves in there with it. But I would be afraid to mess with the plumbing and get one of the pumps backing up too much pressure or something. I think the lift pump in the tank fills the reservoir and then it returns to the tank, and you also have the high pressure pump, sucking from the reservoir and returning to the reservoir also. Is there a percentage of the high pressure return that gets sent to the tank, and the rest goes back to the high pressure pump? I do not know how they have the guts designed.

I do know anytime this thing needs serviced, I have to take the lines loose and take it off the frame and put it on the bench to take it apart. Some had filters inside, some didn't. It seems the systems that have a external metal inline filter, do not have a filter inside the reservoir. Did you know Ford considers the filter inside the reservoir a "lifetime" filter. Though we do know after about 10 years they expect you to buy a new Ford anyway, so I guess that figures into their thinking.

 

[franklin2]

Here is a option for the reservoir that I have not tried yet, but I think it would work. It's called a swirl pot.

Amazon.com: Aramox Fuel, Mirror Polished Fuel Swirl Pot Alloy 2 LT Fuel Box for Race Drift : Automotive

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[lil_Blue_Ford]

Don't try to crimp it closed... it will break.

It's siphoning because the line is lower then the fuel level in the tank.

This.

Also, if the system is starting to leak, it’s usually going to continue no matter what you do short of replacing it. I’ve played this game before and you have to keep in mind… you’re dealing with a truck that was built well over 30 years ago… plastics do not typically age well. Also this ethanol fuel they give us doesn’t agree with old plastics. The lines in my 89 looked like Swiss cheese. My 00 green Ranger I tried to repair a fitting and after several attempts, gave up and replaced it all. I know people don’t like hearing that.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]