promillo

Hi guys,

need some help. My '01 4.6l 2WD started to have some problems to start.

Truck drives absolutly normal and starts with no problem. But then you get in and suddenly no start. It cranks like normal, but no start. If you use some starting fluid, the engine will start after cranking 2-3 seconds.

Battery is 2 years old, fuel filter 1 1/2 years.

Here is a failure video:

Had that issue once like 2 or 3 month ago, but paid no attention. Now it comes back every 2 or 3 days. Does it if cold or hot, more likely if driven 10-15min.

Any ideas where to start or check? Mostly it was the fuel pump, but trucks runs just fine, after start with starting fluid, even if driven like stolen ;-)

Sorry for my english, not my first language...

R&TBabich

First thing I would do is hook up a fuel pressure gauge and find out what it's doing.
An intermittent fuel pump motor can cause your symptoms or other things.
Some testing will help narrow things down.

Jbrew

Agreed ^^

akdoggie

Brew......We talked about this very situation this past summer. We came up with the fuel tank check valve, part of the assembly being the culprit. It holds the fuel from going forward when it is open.

promillo

I have to get a fuel pressure set first. I haven't checked yet if I have a Schrader valve on the 4.6l, but if I have one, which
adapter do I need 7/16"x20 or 5/16"x32 UNF?

Where can I locate the fuel tank check valve? What was wrong with yours?

akdoggie

It is the return check valve, in tank, and is part of the fuel pump assembly. To change it, you need the full pump/housing assembly. It can do it a lot in the hot temp days, and can also do it in freezing temps. It's not specific on when it will do the open, and not let fuel go to the rail. The two that come to mind, were done this past summer, in 90 degree temps.

I live in Alaska, so I see the colder temps also, which can raise all kinds of hello with fuel pumps/filters.

Check the valve like was stated in a prior comment, and see what fuel pressure comes to the rail. If you get none, then some, the valve is probably FUBAR.