Sunday, July 3rd, 2022 AT 7:11 PM
I have a 1989 Ford E-150, 5.0 L V-8, dual fuel tanks with 350,000 miles. Around Memorial Day 2022, I was running my van from my rear fuel tank because I had used up my fuel in the front tank. However, surprisingly my rear fuel tank indicator was dropping very fast, and I couldn’t understand why. When I went to gas up, my front fuel tank began to overflow with fuel! I then knew that the gas was coming retrograde from the rear fuel tank into my front tank. I then filled my rear tank. When pulling out of the gas station, my van stalled using the front tank but ran on the rear tank. Meanwhile, fuel was constantly leaking from my front tank gas cap. I knew I had an emergency. I later learned that a faulty fuel tank selector valve causes these same exact problems. I found only one mechanic who could fix this, and he was at a Ford dealership. After 2 ½ weeks, my van got a new OEM fuel tank selector valve, an Aftermarket EVAP Canister, and a new fuel filter. However, about one week later I started to experience some serious problems. First, my van stalled at a stop light. I couldn't start it right away on my front gas tank but when I switched to the rear tank it started. On a few other occasions, it nearly stalled on me. My van starts great, but if I don't keep my foot on the gas pedal the engine would probably stall out. Then on Sunday July 3, 2022, I experienced the most serious situation. In the morning, I was on the freeway and noticed that my van accelerates very poorly over 65 MPH even when the gas pedal is all the way to the floor. I never had this problem before. And once past 75 MPH, there is practically no acceleration at all. When I went to start my van later that same day, it started well but as I drove off, the engine died. When I restarted it, I heard small backfires coming out of the exhaust while the engine was running very sluggishly. (These small backfires also happened several years ago when I ran out of gas.) It seems like the engine is being starved of fuel. On the freeway going home, my van nearly broke down. I eventually made it home but a couple of times the engine nearly stalled. I don’t know what is going on, but here are some of my thoughts. Could I have a dirty gas tank since the van is 33 years old? Could my fuel lines be clogged? What are your thoughts? Any and all suggestions are welcomed. Thank you for your help.