Help - my Raider isn't working :-( --- Updated!--

[phippsey]

Hello OL crew - I am need of some mechanical advice from you all !

My beast up here - a 1992 Ford Raider - has some problem, possibly related from some poor fuel I had earlier in the year

Problem

- Driving along, if you go under any load it stalls, has no power and dies. You can normally rev while stationary, however this has increased to basically no ability to move at all, but idles ok, to today when it stopped all together.

What I've done

- Drained fuel, new fuel filter (was absolutely chocked full), hit fuel pump with hammer (there was no fuel coming through to the injectors, and immediatly after this fuel started coming through) and it that got it going again, but something still not right.

My thoughts

- Fuel pump blocked
- Fuel pump broken/faulty
- Some EFI sensor relating to fuel pressure not working
- Something else

So...... I'm pretty sure (not being a mechanic tho) it's fuel related, but... how can I tell if it's a sensor problem or the fuel pump (re the hammer my thoughts was the pump)?

Is there any way of testing this?

I assume I'll have to remove fuel tank to replace pump?

Just don't want to goto the expense of replacing the fuel pump, only to find out it was something else

[Ruffy]

Sounds very much like a faulty fuel pump. Being an EFI pump itcan have good flow with low pressure so you really need and EFI fuel gauge to check the pressure.
If there is no fuel at all coming through then check if there is power to the fuel pump when cranking. If there is power then definitely a fuel pump issue.

Cheers, Dan

[-Scott-]

Air leak downstream of the air flow meter?

[gqmudder91]

it's just a ford thats all

[Utemad]

If it is the fuel pump and it is the in tank one then try just replacing the actual pump within the housing. Should only cost about $100 that way.

[phippsey]

Cheers for the suggestions

After talking to mechanic we agree the best step is the following:

- Remove and replace fuel tank (unless I'm 100% no more rust in current tank)
- Use compressor to air out fuel lines
- Replace fuel pump
- New connecting wires for fuel pump
- New fuel filter


Then test and see

Sounds like I am up for some fun !!!!

[bru21]

yeah thats what I would do.

I got bad fuel in the last au falcon - same dramas.
I drained the tank - found 2lt of water, algae and filth in in. Pulled the pump out, put my arm in the tank and using several handfulls of rags cleaned it spotless. I then cleaned the pump filter gauze, re installed the pump, blew the lines out, replaced the filter and got her running. It ran poorly so I got the injectors cleaned and all was good. On a raider I would imagine the injectors would be pretty big / assuming tbi and you might get away with injector cleaner rather than a strip / clean / replace. Make sure you throw a bottle or 2 of metho in the tank as it helps remove the water - especially in tight areas where the water beads like filters etc.

have fun,

bru

[DamTriton]

Just had the same in mine....

One other thing to check would be the fuel pressure regulator. Possibility that water/rust/crap may affect its function (stuck open = permanently low fuel pressure)

[Rhett]

Before replacing the pump, vise grip up the return line to make sure its not the regulator.

[phippsey]

Update !

Removed the fuel tank and there was heaps of rust flakes within it despite repeated draining.

Cleaned it out as best as could (toilet brush, rag, etc) should have bought another tank

New fuel pump - and hey presto all good!

Any advice - is there a product to add to tank that is good at stopping rust from spreading, or am I going to have to put another tank in???

[coxy321]

You can get stuff to re-line it, but how far do you want to go? I would also expect similar aged tanks to be in an equally poor condition, therefore also requiring maintenance.