Engine - Lack of Power/Hesitation/Stumble/Stalls
Article No.93-23-7
11/10/93
^ FUEL TANKS - METALLIC WELD SPATTER CONTAMINATION - FUEL TANK BUILD DATES FROM 11/7/92 THROUGH 9/27/93
^ LACK OF POWER/HESITATION/STUMBLE - FUEL STARVATION DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF FUEL TANK - FUEL TANK BUILD DATES FROM 11/7/92 THROUGH 9/27/93
^ NO START - AFTER PROLONGED DRIVING IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES - WELD SPATTER CONTAMINATION OF FUEL TANKS - FUEL TANK BUILD DATES FROM 11/7/92 THROUGH 9/27/93
^ STALLS - WHEN DRIVING IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OR HIGH ALTITUDES - FUEL STARVATION DUE TO CONTAMINATION OF FUEL TANK - FUEL TANK BUILD DATES FROM 11/7/92 THROUGH 9/27/93
FORD:
1993-94 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1993-94 CONTINENTAL, SABLE
ISSUE:
Vehicles may exhibit the following driveability symptoms:
^ Lack of power/fuel starvation, resulting in hesitation, stumbling and/or stalling in hot weather above 90~F
^ Stalls at low vehicle speed or idling in high ambient temperatures above 90~F and/or at high altitudes.
^ No start condition after stalling or shortly after an extended drive in hot weather above 90~F. The above symptoms are most likely to occur on hot days after extended drives. Except in severe cases, it may be impossible to duplicate the concern during cooler weather conditions.
These symptoms may be caused by an excess amount of metallic weld spatter contamination (from tank manufacturing) remaining in the fuel tank and entering the fuel pump. The contamination may cause excessive internal wear of fuel pump components.
ACTION:
Perform normal inspections and diagnostic procedures per the 1993/94 Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Service Manuals. If no electrical concerns are found, flush the fuel tank and replace the fuel pump assembly. Refer to the following procedure for service details.
1. Verify fuel tank build date. Tank build dates can be found stamped on the right rear bottom of the tanks, in small print near the part number stamp.
2. The build date is coded as follows:
^ The number of the day of the year,
^ A letter denoting which production shift, and
^ The last number of the year (For example: November 7, 1992 is 312B2, and September 27, 1993 is 270B3).
3. Perform normal inspections and diagnostic procedures per the 1993/94 Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis Service Manuals, Section 2A-5, 2A-6. Follow Pinpoint Tests based on Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) received. Poor fuel delivery due to this concern may yield any or all of the following DTC'S:
^ 172, 176, 181, 211, 543, 556
4. If no concerns are found with electrical circuit trouble codes, fuel pump performance may have been affected by weld spatter from the tank manufacturing process.
5. If fuel pressure drops significantly:
a. Drain and remove fuel tank.
b. Remove fuel pump/sender and inspect fuel tank (refer to the Service Manual, Section 10-01, for tank and pump/sender removal and installation procedures.
NOTE:
FUEL TANK WELD SPATTER CONTAMINATION MAY NOT BE VISIBLE TO THE EYE, DUE TO THE SMALL SIZE OF THE PARTICLES
c. Flush the fuel tank, even if no visible contamination is noted. Pay special attention to to the fuel tank reservoir. Remove any contamination built up in crevices and use shop vacuum to remove water from fuel tank.
WARNING:
DO NOT USE SHOP VACUUM UNTIL THE FUEL TANK IS THOROUGHLY RINSED WITH WATER.
d. Install a new fuel pump/sender assembly. Refer to the Parts Block for correct application.
e. Reinstall the fuel tank.
f. Replace the in-line fuel filter assembly.
NOTE:
FUEL SHOULD BE FILTERED BEFORE IT IS RETURNED TO THE TANK, USING THE FILTER BUILT INTO THE ROTUNDA FUEL STORAGE TANKER OR EQUIVALENT.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage And Emission Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
932307A Remove Tank, Flush 1.3 Hrs.
Tank, Replace Fuel Pump, Install Tank
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
9002 49
OASIS CODES:
404000, 607000, 607400, 607500, 611000, 611500, 614000, 614500