Fuel system issues

[KJ]

I'm not getting any fuel to my engine. The farthest that it is going as far as i can tell is the fuel tank switch. I'm wondering what the thing on the rail in between the high pressure fuel pump and the tank change switch is. It looks kinda like a short can of beans... Is it a fuel filter or something? I havent checked to see if there is fuel past it or not yet. I replaced the High pressure pump on the rail and it didn't fix my problem, so if you have any advice that would be great.
Thanks!

 

[jhammel85]

That can of beans is the accumulator. It has a filter in it but ford says that it isnt something that ever needs to be replaced (for whatever reason)

You can get the filter but I've heard that it's hard to get it to seal ever again. I'm not too sure about your fuel issue since it sounds like you have a dual tank? If so, perhaps its the switch or a blockage at the T (guessing that it has one...Just trying to help)

Good luck!

 

[KJ]

oh ok thanks. I'm not sure what the problem is still. It does have two tanks. I pulled off lines from the tank switch and it has fuel on each side so i think it might be ok. Its got me stumped.

 

[dave2575]

I have an 88 dual tank also and my truck had a problem with the rear tank not sending fuel through the front tank, then the front tank gave up on me shortly after that. The one way check valve on the rear tank was stuck and the filter before the valve was partly clogged, the front tanks fuel pump was over worked and failed. I would start with the fuel pump cut off switch on the fire wall under the dash on the pass. side. When you turn on the ignition can you hear the fuel pumps turn on for a couple of seconds, if not check your relay and fuses. let us know how its going and Good luck.
P.S. WARNING: don't mess with the accumulator if you don't have too. the 4 plastic fittings on the case can break off pretty easy and the bowl shaped bottom can screw off to get to the filter BUTT is almost impossible to put back on.

 

[RustedRanger]

It is a pain to get back together (the accumulator) but when I did mine I was at my uncles machine shop and a guy suggested to smear on some grease where the O-ring goes to hold it in place...worked fine. The check valve in the accumulator was turned sideways in its hole so I carefully drilled it out. Mine did have a small O-ring and a spring inside it where it appeared to have had a filter at one time but the replacement I bought was way to small. If ya take it apart you will have to buy the filter just for the O-ring to put it back together

 

[dave2575]

The accumulator also came in two different types. The first one has a filter in it and the bottom bowl is larger and deeper to fit the filter in. And the second one does not have a filter in it and has a smaller and shorter bottom.

 

[KJ]

I have an 88 dual tank also and my truck had a problem with the rear tank not sending fuel through the front tank, then the front tank gave up on me shortly after that. The one way check valve on the rear tank was stuck and the filter before the valve was partly clogged, the front tanks fuel pump was over worked and failed. I would start with the fuel pump cut off switch on the fire wall under the dash on the pass. side. When you turn on the ignition can you hear the fuel pumps turn on for a couple of seconds, if not check your relay and fuses. let us know how its going and Good luck.
P.S. WARNING: don't mess with the accumulator if you don't have too. the 4 plastic fittings on the case can break off pretty easy and the bowl shaped bottom can screw off to get to the filter BUTT is almost impossible to put back on.

So the rear tank fuel line runs through the front tank? I think i'll steer clear of that accumulator it just sounds like a hassle. I've messed around with the cut off switch on the passenger side to relieve the pressure and I think i've reset it so the system should work. Is the only way to check if that is working to listen?

 

[John Smith]

To make it easier

to get that accumulator apart..you may be able to take the two bolts loose where it mounts to the frame allowing it to pull away and it will be easier to service it. At least it was the case on an 88 B2/..

If you Never look in there..the curiosity may get to you...and every time it sputters you may wonder..I wonder what if?...just sayin..

 

[dave2575]

So the rear tank fuel line runs through the front tank? I think i'll steer clear of that accumulator it just sounds like a hassle. I've messed around with the cut off switch on the passenger side to relieve the pressure and I think i've reset it so the system should work. Is the only way to check if that is working to listen?

Ford did some weird things to our fuel systems back then,(single tank or dual tank, accumulator or no accumulator, tank switch or no tank switch, 1 fuel filter or 4 fuel filters, 2 fuel pumps or 3 fuel pumps, blah blah blah) and I know that I cannot say that every dual tank truck has the exact same setup, but they are probably setup close enough to get the idea. Some trucks have a internal fuel pump in the rear tank (some don't) and the fuel line comes out of the rear tank goes through a inline filter then through a one way check valve and in to the front fuel tank. The front tanks internal fuel pump sends fuel from the front tank and the rear tank to the filter, or accumulator, or switch or... well what ever comes next, you get the point. The cut off switch is really just a marble size steel ball bearing that sits in a magnetic cone, a electric signal from one wire passes through the ball bearing and magnetic cone and out the other wire. When a large enough bump or jolt knocks the ball bearing out of the magnetic cone the electric signal is lost. pressing the button moves the ball bearing back in to the magnetic cone and completes the circuit.

 

[KJ]

Well i got it fixed and it turns out it was a broken wire under the hood. Thanks for all the help though!