Vapor lock 1990 E350 EFI 460 engine?
So about a year ago we were coming back from a 670-mile trip when we had a major overheat condition. We limped home, but I believe the heat damaged some components. I replaced the stock copper rad...
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maillemaker: I had a 1989 E350 with a FI 460 once upon a time that had similiar issues as yours. The vehicle did a bunch of strange things like putting out a strong gasoline odor when climbing and working hard in high outside ambient temps. I noticed that if I removed the gas cap there would be a strong woosh of pressure blowing out and then things would be okay for awhile until the the next hard climb which might be the next day. I also noticed the the exhaust was super hot and blistered a bit of paint on the body where the exhaust pipe exited. At one point things got so hot that the propane tank pressure relief valve dumped a bunch of gas which prompted me to run for my life.Eventually the ac system blew a hose and we lost ac and the engine seemed also to lack power.
Long story a bit shorter we found that the catalytic converter. came apart and got red hot. Changed the converter and the engine picked uppower like before but the engine wouldn't idle right and would die at idle. Finally an ace mechanic found the issues. He said both oxygen sensors were bad which was dumping gas into the exhaust (I was getting 4 1/2 mpg)and burned up the catalytic converter. Also. the throttle position sensor was faulty which allowed the engine to die at idle. Also I found out that there is no way to set the idle speed without going into the computer and resetting it. Good luck.
Long story a bit shorter we found that the catalytic converter. came apart and got red hot. Changed the converter and the engine picked uppower like before but the engine wouldn't idle right and would die at idle. Finally an ace mechanic found the issues. He said both oxygen sensors were bad which was dumping gas into the exhaust (I was getting 4 1/2 mpg)and burned up the catalytic converter. Also. the throttle position sensor was faulty which allowed the engine to die at idle. Also I found out that there is no way to set the idle speed without going into the computer and resetting it. Good luck.
