Fuel tank selector valve issue

Tiny
KFAUBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 92,000 MILES
I have a 1991 E-150. It has an auxiliary fuel tank and on a longer drive fuel started pouring out of the side of the van located more or less underneath the front tank filler neck. I was using the rear tank at the time and wasn't aware of the location of the fuel lines so I quickly switched to the other tank hoping it would stop the leaking. It did and I was able to drive it home. However, now that I've gotten under the van I see that fuel lines are nowhere near where the fuel was pouring from. My first assessment is that somehow the full front tank on that long drive I was on somehow pressurized enough and began to pour fuel out the filler neck (I do not know how). Although now I have been tinkering with it trying to find a leak. When I switch to the rear tank (the one I was using while fuel started pouring out), after about 20 miles an hour and some revs the engine chokes out as if fuel isn't being delivered. Switching tanks immediately solves the problem. And now no apparent fuel leaks are detectable. I'm quite puzzled as to what I should begin replacing. I'm not even sure if the fuel waterfall and the choking out of the engine are necessarily related, they just happened at nearly the same time. Also feel the need to note that while the fuel was pouring the van had no problems accelerating as normal, despite that with the rear tank, it does now.
Monday, July 1st, 2013 AT 8:38 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Try replacing the fuel cap and see what happens.
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Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013 AT 1:52 AM
Tiny
KFAUBLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I've tried this and the problem persists. I replaced the caps on both tanks.
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Monday, September 9th, 2013 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
GEORGE33
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
There is a recall on the 1991 ford van for the fuel tank selector valve for this same type of problem it is listed as NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V146000, you can look it up under www. Recalls. Gov What apparently happens is when both tanks are full, one tank tries to pump fuel into the other. When you switch tanks using the selector switch it stopped it from happening.
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Monday, September 16th, 2013 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

He is correct. There was a recall. Here is the recall, labor for the repair, and parts needed. The attached pic correlates with the recall.

________________________

1991 Ford Truck E 150 Van V8-351 5.8L
Recall - Fuel Tank Selector Valve Replacement
Vehicle Powertrain Management Technical Service Bulletins Recall - Fuel Tank Selector Valve Replacement
RECALL - FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE REPLACEMENT
Related Links
Administrative Information
Labor and Parts Information
Fuel Selector Valve Replacement
Owner Letter
ATTACHMENT II

SAFETY RECALL 91S39
Fuel Tank Selector valve/Dual Function Reservoir Assembly

LABOR ALLOWANCE

Replace Fuel Tank Selector Valve/Dual Function Reservoir Assembly

0.6 Hrs. - Insert in Box "B" on Form 1864

Administrative Allowance. 0.1 Hrs.

NOTE:
Add 0.1 hour Administrative Allowance to the total repair time.

PARTS REQUIREMENTS

pic 1

Parts will not be direct shipped for this recall. Order your parts requirements through normal order processing channels.

______________________________

Let me know if this helps.

Joe
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Friday, April 10th, 2020 AT 5:58 PM

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