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mlh's avatar
mlh
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015

Very Expensive Preventative Maintenance

For anyone that will be replacing the drive belt on a Ford V-10 anytime soon: If you happen to remove all the plastic trim and air filter housing, etc., please be aware of how you put it back together. I recently took a trip and when I got on the highway, I hardly had any power. I could barely get to 60 and could not muster up enough speed or acceleration to pass anyone. I would slow down considerably on overpasses. I unhooked the Jeep to see if it improved. It didn't. I figured it must have been the fuel filter. I stopped at the nearest Auto Zone and they sold me a fuel filter for a 2010 E 450. I get out in the parking lot and could not find it. I checked the manual and it said that the filter was located in the tank. I guess the guys at Auto Zone didn't know that. I went back inside and returned it. Got it home and ordered a new fuel pump assembly since you can't order just the filter. Dropped the tank, replaced the assembly and back together. This was not an easy task by the way. I let it get down to a quarter tank. I can't imagine if it had been full. Anyway, I took it on a test run. It seemed better, but not much. I got out on the highway and things did not improve. I pulled over to disconnect the battery to see if resetting the computer would help. While the battery was disconnected, I decided to check the air filter just in case although I had recently replaced it. I removed the first section of the housing. When I went to put it back on, it would not go on quite right. There was a flap that was positioned the wrong way almost blocking the entire intake. I corrected the flap, reassembled everything and got back on the road. It ran perfect. Oh well. At least I have a new fuel pump that should last me for quite a while now.
  • cgmartine wrote:
    You mentioned the drive belt....and cautioned about being aware how to put it back, but was that only because you removed everything above it in order to remove the air filter?


    I removed the air filter housing and all the plastic to be able to see and get to the drive belt easier.
  • You definitely came out ahead. It likely was time to replace the fuel pump anyway, and you saved yourself a side-of-the-road breakdown.
  • Yep, at least you got a new fuel pump out of this experience.
    And, we all learned something.
    That's why I take pictures of everything as I take it apart.
    I'm glad you found the problem and, it was a cheap fix. Except for the fuel pump.
    You said it seemed a little better after installing the new pump. Maybe the old one was going and this saved you a break down along the road?
  • You mentioned the drive belt....and cautioned about being aware how to put it back, but was that only because you removed everything above it in order to remove the air filter?
  • Amazing it would make that big of a difference. Glad you found it!