87 Ranger no fuel to engine

[argoman]

Drained gas tank to get rid of bad gas (truck ran, before draining, but with white smoke and water dripping out of exhaust). Put fresh gas in tank, and now wont start. Has short start when I spray starting fluid in intake, but will not maintain. How do I get fuel to the motor?
PS... Truck has fuel injection, and power everything.....2.9 V6

[2000mudder]

are you sure white smoke and water from exhaust isn't antifreeze? blown head gasket will do this. dose the motor spin just not start? are you sure fuel pump is working?

[argoman]

Started fine before draining the tank. How do I prime fuel injection-fuel lines, so gas will flow?

[efuller]

If fuel pump is working then just turning on the ignition will prime lines. Pull the fuel line at the efi and cover with a large cup, turn on ignition and see if gas comes out.

[argoman]

Sounds reasonable, I'll try it this weekend. When I turn the key, I think I here the fuel pump noice at the tank. Makes a 'rrrrr' sound. Someone stated that the fuel filters need to be replaced after fuel tanks have been drained or when the fuel lines go dry. Also the manual says to depressurize the fuel system before draining the tank, by unplugging the innertia(spelling) switch and turning the engine over for 15 seconds. Then after putting gas back in, to reconnect the switch and turn over engine, to repressurize system. Tried that....nothing.

[efuller]

That is where I was leading to however the wife started complaining about somehting and I got sidetracked (whats new). If you hear "something" in the tank then it *sounds* like the pump is working, but if no fuel out of the line at the efi unit then you know a blockage. The fuel filter is the next place to pull the line before the filter and check for fuel. If you get fuel, probably clogged filter. If you don't, then the sound in the tank is a fuel pump either bad or clogged itself. When you drain a tank sometimes dirt and debries come loose and clog everything up, even the fuel pump inlet.

Keep in mind when checking in a cup to see if gas comes out, you don't want to see a trickle of gas. I think the 2.3 efi pumps are supposed to put out like 10lbs or pressure, so you'll want to see quite a bit coming out when you bump the igition.

[argoman]

Thanx, will try.

[mybabiesmamasman]

I just recently changed the high-pressure pump on my 2.9L, and I had kinda the same problem. I put in a new filter along with it, so that eliminated the possibility of the filter. I tried the same 15 sec priming method that you did, and all I got was a whole lot of nuthin. What did work for me was priming the lines while the fuel cap was off. It took me a few tries, but once it started to fire up, I tapped the gas pedal to help it along and everythings been fine and dandy since.

[argoman]

Good job figuring that one out. I'll have to try that one first. According to the manual, the filter is designed to last for the life of the vehicle. Can't immagine a filter would get clogged anyway. Although the book also says the filter need never be changed.... 'unless it is clogged.'

[Genojoe]

I don't know if your problem has been solved or not, but I encountered the same dilema not to long ago. Check you fuel shut off switch, sometimes a hard slam of the door, or a sudden jolt of the vehicle will trigger it to activate. The switch is located on the passenger side of the vehicle inside the cab. Once you are inside the passenger side, look down to where you put your feet, pull the rug down a little and look left, you will see a black box aproximately 2 or 3 inches by 2 or 3 inches, this is the switch, now tap it, I recomend replacing it, if that works you should now regain fuel pressure to the engine, and the truck will start.

[argoman]

Thanx, I think I've tried everything at least once, still nothing. Something about bypassing the the fuel relay, was suggested. Not sure how that works, but will attempt. Very frustrating problem. Damn truck's been sitting for months now.

[freeclimber]

Argoman:
When you turn the key to "on", you should hear the pump spin up to pressurize the system.
A new pump can go bad FAST if you didn't clean the accumulated crap out of the tank.
A pump that spins up and supplies proper pressure can still lack the ability to supply enough flow.
If you can hear the pump, then all the fuses, relays, etc should be good enough to get the truck to start at least.
Did you get fuel from the line directly before the fuel filter? How about directly after?
Fuel filter lasting forever "unless clogged" means the same thing as "it doesn't last forever, you need to change it". I've seen mudd pour out of filters with only 30k miles on them. Depends on the gas you get and where you drive.

This problem should be easy to figure out, it just takes a little process of elimination.