On day 3 of a 5 day trip after driving about 325 highway miles once off the highway, motor started to sputter and die. No check engine light. Managed to get parked in campground for the night. About an hour and a half later motor started and idled fine. The next morning MH ran fine, headed to destination about 150 miles of highway driving. Pulled off at exit and again it wouldn’t idle, sputtered and stalled. About 1 hr. Later it started and we drove 5 miles to the campground. The first time it happened we had 3/4 tank of gas, second time a little more then 1/2 tank. Since arriving I have changed the fuel filter on the frame rail. Insulated the fuel lines from the frame rail to the back of the motor, changed the air filter. I am planning on replacing the fuel pressure regulator next. Any suggestions, or ideas? Lastly I am thinking about adding an inline fuel pump. Has anyone done that and if so what pump did you use and how did you wire it? Thanks for any and all help!

So many things it could be. Does flooring it help? Could be the EGR valve sticking. You can disconnect and plug the vacuum line to it to see if it stops. If it does, replace it. Dont leave it disconnected.Also posible the IAC is acting up or the imfamous electronic ign. module is heat sensitive.Being fuel injected, I would not add another fuel pump. If the one in the tank isn't doing its job, replace it.I'm sure there are more. :(

If it happens in area where you can pull over, do so, turn off engine wait a couple minutes and try going again. Possible that you have a plugged catalytic converter.

Try loosening the gas capIf the cap is bad, it won't allow air into the tank as fuel is usedCausing a vacuum to build in the tankMight not be your problem, but it's a cheap easy test, and a cheap fix, IF it is the problem

This is common problem with Ford's of this area.80% chance is a bad fuel pump.please use an AC Delco or motorcraft pump.you will not find these most big box auto parts houses.

If your engine runs OK while under power, then the fuel pump, fuel filter are probably OK. NO catalytic converter on your MH. Also fuel tank venting issues will normally occur while under power. The misfiring at idle could be, as already suggested, the EGR valve. Ford uses metal on metal, seat and valve, in the fuel pressure regulator and it rarely fails.Before wasting time and $$, I suggest doing a fuel pressure test, at the time of failure, to prove or disprove a fuel issue. The fuel pressure test port is on the right fuel rail, just forward of the throttle body. Pressure should be 40# + or - 2# at wide open throttle while driving.Richard

1997 F53 ford 460ci fuel problem | Good Sam Community

dvg045
Explorer
Feb 05, 2019
Had a 97 Georgia Boy. Same problem,overheating tank fuel pump.Ford 360
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jan 25, 2019
Our 1995 F53 had the same symptoms that landed us in a small town RV park in AZ. I picked up an inline universal 50 psi fuel pump from an area NAPA store and installed it just behind the fuel filter midships on the frame rail. I wired it through a relay to the fuel cutoff switch on the steering column. That solved the problem, and the fellow that bought the coach a couple of years later reports that it's still working ok almost 10 years later.
77rollalong
Explorer
Jan 25, 2019
If you have twin tanks, you have 2 fuel pumps one in each tank, so if one fails, the other tank should be able to run the motorhome and get you home
Heisenberg
Explorer
Jan 25, 2019
Fuel Pump. 1996 Dolphin 345............
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2019
I had the exact symptoms on my 97.

I guarantee it’s the fuel pump. A decent mechanic can attach a psi gauge and measure the pressure at the engine.

As stated, go to a Ford dealer and get the latest and greatest pump.

Mine required an additional wiring adapter for the new pump.

My mechanic did not drop the tank. I ran it down low and he dropped the rear bracket, loosened the filler hose and ran the front strap as far down as he could. They have long threads. That angled the tank so he could access the top from the rear.

Keeping the tank full helps prevent the pump from overheating.

Please keep us posted.
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 24, 2019
+1 to have a technician check the fuel pump.
If it is the original pump I would be inclined to replace it sooner than later.
Krusty
Nomad II
Jan 24, 2019
Fuel pump is the only common failure on these
YC_1
Nomad
Jan 24, 2019
kenwautoone wrote:
This is common problem with Ford's of this area.80% chance is a bad fuel pump.please use an AC Delco or motorcraft pump.you will not find these most big box auto parts houses.

Ditto: Ditto: Ditto: Has come up often. I had an 89 that acted up for a couple of years off and on until it finally died long enough to diagnose. Acted so like vapor lock. Things like a hot day, running the generator to power the AC, climbing steep hills all seemed to contribute to the symptoms.

The fuel filter along the frame rail is so often neglected or forgotten. At 11 k miles mine was blocked. I suspect that put added strain on the fuel pump.

An inline pump might not draw through a bad fuel pump.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Jan 24, 2019
If your engine runs OK while under power, then the fuel pump, fuel filter are probably OK. NO catalytic converter on your MH. Also fuel tank venting issues will normally occur while under power. The misfiring at idle could be, as already suggested, the EGR valve. Ford uses metal on metal, seat and valve, in the fuel pressure regulator and it rarely fails.
Before wasting time and $$, I suggest doing a fuel pressure test, at the time of failure, to prove or disprove a fuel issue. The fuel pressure test port is on the right fuel rail, just forward of the throttle body. Pressure should be 40# + or - 2# at wide open throttle while driving.

Richard
kenwautoone
Explorer
Jan 24, 2019
This is common problem with Ford's of this area.80% chance is a bad fuel pump.please use an AC Delco or motorcraft pump.you will not find these most big box auto parts houses.

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