SOMOS
Los Angeles
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Hello Everyone!
I'm a new member and new to the RV Life. I recently purchased a 1991 E-350 (7.5L Engine). It has 62K miles. Runs great! However, on a recent trip it stalled (choked) while I was on the freeway, driving at approximately 60 MPH.
The AAA Driver came out and told he has seen this before. Apparently it happens when the fuel lines get so hot that the fuel becomes vapor (Vapor Lock) and therefore, the engine does not get fuel. He gave me the following advice:
Remove the gas cap. Let it cool and get on the road again. I did that and it worked just fine. However, this seems to happen regularly when the engine gets hot (Engine does not overheat). Every time, I let it cool down and then it starts and runs great until it happens again.
I've treated the gasoline with a Sea Foam Gasoline treatment but the problem remains. I've been told the fuel pump is going out. Others suggest replacing the fuel filter. The most recent suggestion is to replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and they are 90% certain this is the problem.
Anyone else experience this problem? Any suggestions for this newbie? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
In gratitude,
Joe Silva
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toedtoes
California
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Joined: 05/17/2014
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If it's vapor lock, then it is simply that the engine is getting too hot. There are mods to add a scoop (vent) in the hood, add washer fluid squirters and reservoir to squirt water on the front of the engine, etc. Most folks time their driving to cooler times of day, make more frequent rest stops, etc.
Sea Foam won't do anything because there is nothing wrong with the fuel itself.
The fuel pump, fuel filter, ICM, etc, are all possible solutions IF it is NOT vapor lock. They can and will cause stalling, not starting, etc. But if it IS vapor lock then replacing these will not fix the issue.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
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Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)
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Chum lee
Albuquerque, NM
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Is your check engine light on? Yes/no? Check for fault codes first, before you throw parts at it.
Chum lee
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SOMOS
Los Angeles
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Thank you! I truly appreciate your comment and information. One mechanic told me that in theory, Fuel Injected engines should not get Vapor Lock.
Thanks again!
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SOMOS
Los Angeles
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No. Check Engine light is not on.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Fuel filter is cheap. Fuel pump is not that expensive either.
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toedtoes
California
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theoldwizard1 wrote:Fuel filter is cheap. Fuel pump is not that expensive either.
Yes they are inexpensive and easy to replace. But if the problem is vapor lock, replacing them won't make a bit of difference.
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Scottiemom
Florida
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Joined: 09/09/2003
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We had a fuel pump fail on a coach we bought that was older and had sat for a few years. Low miles. Our second trip we experienced it stalling out and stopping on the highway. We eventually limped off the highway and got some help. The mechanic said it was the fuel pump and that once the pump cooled down we could drive it for a few miles. Since it was over the weekend, we were able to drive it 12 miles to a campground. The mechanic ordered parts and we returned to him on Monday and he replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter since they were both in the fuel tank. They had to drop the drivetrain, so we asked them to dispose of the fuel left in the tank and put some fresh in it. This was all caused by the coach sitting for years with untreated fuel. For years after our trip where we took it to Alaska, we stored it for 11 months out of the year. We put Seafoam in the tank going into storage every year.
Never another problem and I am still driving the same coach 10 years later.
Dale
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Fulltimed for 15 years, now living in Florida
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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theoldwizard1 wrote:Fuel filter is cheap. Fuel pump is not that expensive either. Replace it and eliminate that possible cause.
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Bob
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BarryG20
Castle Rock, Colorado
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Fuel injected engines can still experience vapor lock but it is much less prevalent than on carbureted vehicles.
You can try taking off the gas cap to help at the moment. That certainly wont keep it from happening again and again though. Trying to figure out where it is getting hot and trying to due some temperature mitigation in that area would be helpful. Putting in some sort of heat shield in the problem area might work, adding a fuel cooler just prior to the problem area might help as well. Some insulated reflective heat tape wrapped around the fuel line in the engine compartment might also help. It might be worth checking the engine cooling system to make sure it is up to snuff. You said it isn't overheating which is good but is it performing as it should running 10-20 degrees warm might be the tipping point for the fuel but it still not overheat the engine.
The above should help if it is in fact vapor lock and as was mentioned by a previous poster if it is not vapor lock as he mentioned could be several other items including the ignition control, fuel pump etc
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