This weekend was the second time my truck left me stranded. Both times the engine stalled after warming up and as I turned a corner. The power steering just went out as I was turning and I had to coast to the side of the road. The first time it happened I took out the air filter and noticed that it was just choked full of sand. I replaced it and the truck started right back up and ran fine for about another two weeks. I guess I should have known it wasn't going to be that simple. The exact same thing happened to me yesterday after about 30 minutes of driving. After the engine stalled, I couldn't get it to start again. After about 10 minutes of waiting around I tried again and I could get it to start but it would just run kind of weak for a few seconds and then die out. I was able to do that pretty consistently for a while. Now that I have it back in my driveway I can't get it to start at all. After work today I am going to stop by the auto parts store and get a fuel filter. I don't really know what else to look at other than the fuel lines. I am really hoping it's not the fuel pump but how do I check to see if that is the problem?
My truck is a 1993 D-150 with 210,000 miles on it. I bought it recently and don't really know how well it was maintained by the previous owner. Any suggestions?

 

I would think it is a fuel pressure problem. I don't know much about 1st gen trucks, check the fuel filter if you can, I know mine is in the tank so I can't. Then I would look to the fuel pump.

 

I changed the fuel filter last night and I'm still having the same problem. I am assuming that the fuel pump is working fine since I can hear it tick on when I turn the ignition part way and when I disconnected the fuel line from the filter, fuel came out pretty quickly. I'm guessing this means it adequately pressurized.
Tonight I am going to try disconnecting the fuel line where it enters the carburator to see if there is a blockage somewhere in the fuel lines. Any other ideas on what I can check?

 

I just tried priming my truck by pouring fuel directly into the throttle body. It will start for a few seconds and then stall. I am guessing that this means there is an obstruction in the fuel lines somewhere. I am assuming that it is not the fuel pump because gas gets to the fuel filter just fine. When I disconnected the fuel line from the fuel filter gas started coming out pretty quick so I figure it is good up to that point. Does that make sense? Is there anything else that I should check at this point? How much should I expect to pay to get the fuel lines replaced?

 

Even if gas is coming out you still need a certain amount of pressure to make it operate properly. Like I said before I am by no means an expert on 1st Gen's. If I get time I will look to see if AllData has a test procedure for your fuel pressure. I doubt your fuel lines are plugged, it is possible but its unlikely.

 

I forgot to mention that I don't get any engine codes. Also, when I turn the key to run, I can hear a loud tick from the fuel pump and it sounds like it runs for a couple seconds and then turns off.

 

have someone look down the throttle body and see if the injectors are spraying...(while turning over)also you can do a valume test and find out if you've got enough flow..you can go to napa and buy injector pulse testers to see if the injectors are pulsing for like 30 bucks and if the light blinks and no fuel then try the injectors....

 

So I need to look down the throttle body while someone cranks the engine, not just press the gas pedal down? I had someone depress the gas pedal while I looked down and didn't see any gas get sprayed in. I know that works for a carburetor but is it different for fuel injection? Now I just need to figure out how to position myself so I can see down the throttle body without getting caught in anything. I'm not used to working on anything this large.

 

correct if you just press the gas pedal down nothing will happend you have to crank the motor so the computer will tell the injectors to pulse when they pulse it squirts gas in.

 

Last night I first cycled the ignition from run to off a few times to listen to the fuel pump. Two of the times I did that, it made this groaning sound. I then had someone try to crank it while I looked down the throttle body and it started right up. Is this further evidence that it is likely the fuel pump that is the source of the problem? I am thinking it was stuck and the cycling on and off eventually got it unstuck, hence the groaning sound.