No fuel at schrader valve on rail.

[jokerl90]

92 Ranger, 2.3L
Would a bad fuel pressure regulator cause fuel not to make it to the schrader valve on the rail?
How do you test a fuel pressure regulator? Put a vacuum pump on it and see if it holds pressure?

My Ranger has been sitting for a few years. pumped about 10 gallons of bad gas out of the tank, it was yellow and smelled like turpentine or kerosene.
It will not start. Has fire at the plugs. I can hear the fuel pump working, but no fuel on the plugs or fuel out of the schrader valve. Going to replace the fuel filter anyway, but got to thinking about the above questions.
Thanks for any replies.

 

[adsm08]

Has it been properly primed?

 

[jokerl90]

"Has it been properly primed?'
Well, not sure. I would turn on the key, wait for the fuel pump to stop, then begin trying to crank it using bursts on the starter of 5 to 10 seconds followed by the same or a little longer off the starter.
When I checked the valve on the rail, I tried both turning off the key after the pump stopped and also leaving it on.
Oh, hahaha I did put fuel back in it after pumping the bad out!!!! (about 3 gallons)

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Sat for a long time...
Bad fuel...
Cycled key multiple times...
Can hear the fuel pump...
No fuel pressure at the rail...

Rubber fuel line between the fuel pump and the sending unit is rotted and split. Your fuel pump is pumping fuel from your tank to the tank.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[agrajeda]

Sat for a long time...
Bad fuel...
Cycled key multiple times...
Can hear the fuel pump...
No fuel pressure at the rail...

Rubber fuel line between the fuel pump and the sending unit is rotted and split. Your fuel pump is pumping fuel from your tank to the tank.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Check Fuel Filter, or change it

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sat for a long time...
Bad fuel...
Cycled key multiple times...
Can hear the fuel pump...
No fuel pressure at the rail...

Rubber fuel line between the fuel pump and the sending unit is rotted and split. Your fuel pump is pumping fuel from your tank to the tank.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

Check Fuel Filter, or change it

I had this happen to me. The previous owner changed the pump with used pump but didn't use fuel rated line.

Relieve pressure in the system and see if you have fuel before the filter by disconnecting the line, direct the line to a catch can, and briefly turning on the key. That should narrow down the possibilities.

If you need to, use search for how to disconnect fuel lines.

Good luck,

Richard

 

[jokerl90]

Thanks for the replies guys!
It could be the "Rubber fuel line between the fuel pump and the sending unit is rotted and split" although I have always kept the tank full or near full while not using the truck. The last time I used it for a few weeks the fuel gauge had quit working, but the truck ran fine, even great.

I didn't think the fuel filter would be the main problem, thinking even if it was bad it would still let a little fuel through.

Today I questioned myself if I could really hear the fuel plump running, now I'm not completely sure. I checked the relay, the fuse, that rollover switch, I jumped that switch with a wire and tried starting it. There was a little bit of fuel at the valve on the rail,not much though. Would not start and couldn't get anymore fuel to show up.

My plan now like Richard said is to get under it and just for the fun of it, disconnect forward of the filter and see if any thing comes out, then check behind the filter and see what come out.

Made a run to Auto zone and got a filter,relay, couple of different tools for the lines, hand vacuum pump and fuel pressure tester. Had a compression tester I hoped would do double duty but doesn't.

I have been putting the search function to good use here. I kinda know my way around the exhaust side of the motor, but this side I always looked at it and walked away with my gaze adverted! hahaha.

Funny thing. looking at Auto Zone's website, the intank sending unit (without fuel pump) costs as much or more than the whole assembly that has the fuel pump. Unless I'm missing something.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

I've had very bad luck with aftermarket pumps in my 94 4.0. In 2008, I went through 6 aftermarket pumps within 6 months. I finally broke down and bought the complete sending unit with the pump from the dealer. Works perfectly now, no problems in the last 4 years.

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jokerl90]

Finally some clear weather to look at this again.
Disconnected the fuel line from the filter on the tank side. Turned the key, no fuel, pump not working.
Sprayed the bed bolts with PB Blaster getting ready for that little slice of pie!!!

Got to thinking about the electrical part and may have found something.
Pulled out the 30A fuse for the fuel pump relay and put a multimeter to the connection. When I turn on the key, the needle swings to about 8 or 9 volts then back to 0v. Correct action but low voltage?
Put the meter on the plug for the inertia switch. Turn key on and needle swings to about 8 or 9v then goes to a steady 6v. I was expecting to see 12v all over the place here.
Put the negative lead from the meter to a ground screw by the computer, got 0-ohms when red lead was on the red wire from the plug and the 8/9v and 6v when it was on the green wire to the plug.
Battery is charged, it can turn the motor over with no effort.

 

[jokerl90]

Got the bed off and put 12v directly to the fuel pump, didn't work. Put a new pump in along with a fuel filler hose. Runs great now, thanks for the help guys!