Automobile / Ford / Van

MORE: Ford E-Series Van Repair Questions

Question:  1977 Ford Van 351 mileage: 125,000.  The motor was rebuilt but I can’t get the firing order right.  I tried both firing orders for the 351 and get it to run on a 302 firing order. It starts with 15 something but I still have a miss.  I replaced all plugs and wires cap and router but I still hear the miss.  I tried moving the distributor a tooth in both directions still same.

Answer:  In 1977 Ford had two different 351 motors.  One was called a Windsor and the other a Cleveland.  The firing orders are different for each of these motors.  Verify which motor you have and use the proper firing order.

Question:  1999 Ford E150 mileage: 105,000.   On a cold start will roll over but not start. Replaced fuel filter, fuel pump (3), pressure regulator, spark plugs, coil, rotor cap and fuses.  When turnkey to start the pump will not shut off.  Try over and over, when the pump finally shuts off you can start the van.  Ford dealership hooked to computer -- no codes said it was fuel pump.  We replaced with 3rd one, still same thing.  Checked the inertia switch.  Help!   Tired of replacing parts!

Answer:  If your van is equipped with two gas tanks, each tank has a fuel pump and both pumps must be replaced at the same time.  We know what you are think – why both pumps.  The answer is because Ford designed the system so that one pump is dependent upon the other for proper function of the entire system.  There is no selector valve between the two tanks.

Question:  2000 Ford E150 mileage: 85,000.  Two different mechanics cannot solve our problem. Our van starts fine, and then on cue, after approx. 10 min running time, it begins to stall and buck.  The check engine light comes on and the rough running continues for the duration of the trip.  The code that is set points to a faulty oxygen sensor.  We've replaced it twice.  Once with an after market Napa sensor, then, on the advice of the second mechanic, a genuine ford sensor.   No change.  We've replaced the plug wires, the dist. cap, and the plugs.  We've checked the fuel pump pressure, replaced the in-line fuel filter, nothing so far has fixed the problem.  This is frustrating since the van is in excellent condition, only 85,000 original miles.  We are at the point of replacing the "so called" computer.  However, I'm not optimistic that the problem lies there.  Again, the symptom: van starts fine, but after warming up, begins to miss and buck.  It's possible to accelerate and drive out of the problem, but it returns almost immediately.  It's really bad in stop and go traffic, it cuts out badly in 1st gear, esp. on inclines.  We've been struggling with this problem for over a year, any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Answer:  Check the fuel pump relay, the ECC relay, the fuel pump pressure when the problem is occurring – you may have a faulty fuel pump.  There is also a chance you may have a bad power control module PCM.

Question:  2002 Ford E150 mileage: 58,000. Air conditioning blows out defroster on hard acceleration. I have been unable to find more than one reserve tank the one I found is not leaking.

Answer: Check for vacuum hoses that may be cracked or a loose connection. Another source of the leak may be the vacuum switch on the back of the heater/air condition control on the dash. Somewhere in the vacuum system is a check valve that may have failed. It is usually part of the vacuum reservoir tank.

MORE: Ford E-Series Van Repair Questions

Automobile / Ford / Van