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TOMMY47's avatar
TOMMY47
Explorer
Aug 21, 2013

VAPOR LOCK

I'm experiencing what I believe is vapor lock in my 1990 E350 Class C.
Happens when I climbing hills, especially when it's hot out. I can see the engine temp gauge rise and start looking for a wide part of the shoulder of the road. 10 minutes of cooling down and I'm on my way again.
In looking on line for cures for VL, I have not seen any that involve changing the thermostat out for one in the 180 degree range. Not sure, but I probably have one in the 190-195 range. The engine is always running right in the middle of the temp gauge until I start up a hill.
Wouldn't having a lower thermostat result in lower heat transfer to the gas line/forward fuel pump, thus preventing VL??
Any other suggestions would also be appreciated.
  • Sure sounds like in tank fuel pump but you state you changed that. Is there a fuel filter along the frame rail below the driver?? If so, have you changed it?
  • I think you need to cure that heat problem. Has it always been that way?
  • If your mh has an electric fuel pump in the tank, vapor lock is not your problem.
  • Every engine is desighned to operate at a certain tempature,most commonly 190F. The rise in temp you are seeing is the result of restricted radiator,worn water pump impeller,poor or non-operation of coolant fan and/or any number of things. If you are not into this type thing,better get somone who is before engine is damaged. Vapor loc is somthing I hadn't heard for many years but since you mentioned it,I don't think that is the problem. The F series trucks have the fuel pump at the tank and I expect your E is also. Starting with simple things,ckeck for bugs or grass on or between radiator and ac condenser. Look inside at passages in radiator if possible. There should be no accumilation what so ever. If fan is electric,it should be running full speed when temp rises and continue long after pulling to roadside. Raise the hood and look next time this happens. If fan is belt driven,after engine warms to operating temp,kill engine and attempt to spin fan by hand. If the fan freewheels when you give it a spin,the clutch is defective. Is there a shroud in place around fan? That's only a start but maybe it will help.
  • Already got a new fuel pump and it has helped a little. However, I do plan to insulate the pump and line if I can reach them easily. A company called Thermotec seems to have various insulating products and I've seen them at an auto parts store.
  • My dad had the same problem on a 1989 bronco. One time a tow truck driver stopped to help us and said it happened all time and you just have to bleed the air out of the fuel line at the valve stem looking thing. After finding that out we could be back on the road in <1 minute.

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