84,85,86,87,88,89 towncar

[garylv]

Just a heads up, Had a poor running,no power, stalling problem on an 87 tc
After going through quite a few things I determined it was a fuel problem. fuel pressure test showed 20 pounds, enough to keep it running but not to drive it. I resolved myself to needing to replace the fuel pump (ARGH) After removing and inspecting the pump I determined that the 3 inch rubber conecting hose that conects the actual pump to the housing that fits onto the gas tank had a pin hole. (All the fuel that leaks out sprays back into the fuel tank) . replaced the hose put it together and it runs perfect. Depending on the size and severity of this hole I would assume you could have a long list of hard to diagnose drivability problems. Also could cause a slow degrading of performance.
Good news is it is cheap to fix (About 50 cents)
Bad news it is the same work as changing the whole fuel pump (110 bucks) If you got the cash I would say it is worth it to change the whole thing because ripping that tank down and putting it back ain't fun.

[junk yard doggie]

Funny that you mentioned that hose. I ran in to that very same rubber hose problem on a 96 model I was working on today. The hose was soft and crumbling. I have never seen one that bad ever. It is almost like the wrong type of hose was used, and the gas just ate it up. Unfortunately that didn't solve my problem, only a piece of the pie.

[garylv]

Originally Posted by junk yard doggie

Funny that you mentioned that hose. I ran in to that very same rubber hose problem on a 96 model I was working on today. The hose was soft and crumbling. I have never seen one that bad ever. It is almost like the wrong type of hose was used, and the gas just ate it up. Unfortunately that didn't solve my problem, only a piece of the pie.

Yeah thats why I posted it. I figured it is common. Could make you crazy chasing things around like that. Hmmmmm rubber gas hose soaking in gas 24/7 for 15+ years, NOT one of fords better Ideas. I replaced my hose with fuel injector grade fuel line, at least it has a solid liner on the inside to prevent another blowout.
I am sure you already know but here is the list that I went through. Check the fuel filter (Especialy after that hose breaks down and pukes all the rubber chunks into the system), throttle position sensor, Map,Bap,Mass air sensor. Also check the Idle controll valve. Best I understand fuel pressure should be 40,45 psi. You can get a cheap fuel pressure tester for under 20 bucks (Got mine at Harbor Freight). I supose those symptoms could be ignition related also.

[junk yard doggie]

I personally do not like the in tank electric fuel pumps. I like the old mechanical ones. You never have psi problem with those old style pumps they either work or don't work. I guess I am old fashioned that way.

I haven't had any trouble from these electric fuel pumps until recently. I had three of them go bad on me on different cars in the last few months. This last one I worked on the other day, pump was good but that hose was bad. The car has been broke down for so long now that everything got varnished up and cruddy in the entire system. The fuel system being all full of crap just made things harder to get her up and running again. I believe I'm good to go now on the fuel system. Just need to work on the ignition problem, leaning towards the ECU being bad.

At least I didn't have to drop the tank on this one. Tank is mounted side ways, and there is room to get up in there and pull the sending unit out. In 96 Ford went to an all stainless steal sending unit insert that bolts in. Talk about nice, no lines or retaining ring to rust out.

I've got an 89 grand marquis, with no problems with the fuel pump yet. That will probably be a tank dropper like your lincoln was.

[Mil1ion]

So... was the engine stuttering in normal acceleration or say driving with cruise control on ?

I have known about the breakdown of rubber fuel line and tell people about it all the time but I never thought an original equipped Lincoln would have anything but steel fuel line installed.

Where exactly is this rubber hose located ?

[garylv]

Like I said "I determined that the 3 inch rubber conecting hose that conects the actual pump to the housing that fits onto the gas tank had a pin hole. (All the fuel that leaks out sprays back into the fuel tank). engine would not run at all above idle. But if the hole was small enough it might just stutter.