Water in Gas, F150 won't start

Noctilucent had writtennews: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

There are additives that seperate the water from gas. Most occasions they work. Try them first. Check the fuel filter and drain the water. If all else fails drain the gas tank. The problems with water in gas is not that rare. Condensation gets in the fuel from the tank itself. There is little chance the gas station will help you out.

Thank you for your replies!

We have not checked for spark yet, but we will tomorrow morning, after work. The parts were replaced by advice from her boyfriend.

A "power relay on the passenger side inner fender"? That's not the solenoid you are referring to, right? Because she has a new solenoid installed. Or is there another relay there?

I will post follow-ups to this dilemma to keep all informed and let it be archived at Google to help anyone in the future.

Thank you!

I was just thinking.... couldn't we buy starter fluid and spray it in the air intake to see if that gets the truck fired up for a second? wouldn't that then let us know that it is the fuel being a problem?

Right?

okay, thank you Tom...... I believe I know what you are referring to now. Had one of those mess up on my Caravan once. (believe it or not it was an ant that had shorted it out! One ant and the vehicle would not start.)

Will test these things tomorrow.

There is a plastic cover:

inside you will find relays. Also, go to the auto parts store and buy a can of a good grade of carbureator cleaner, starting fluid in a massive quantity can raise the cylinder heads off of the engine. (Not a pretty site)

Spray some in the throttle body, if the vehicle starts, my guess is that you have a bad fuel pump. If the station is replacing their tanks, it's because they were old and leaking. A shipment of bad gas, or condensation water is pumped out, versus a $150,000.00 at minimum tank replacement project.

Pumps can run and still not pump. Try the carbureator cleaner or if you have the stones. Try starting fluid. If it starts, I've driven cars ten miles or more on carbureator cleaner to get them to the shop.

I hope this helps?

Refinish King

Since when doesn't starting fluid start an efi motor?

What about when the older ford ECTS's wer out and customers called on frigid days, did you replace them outside, or spray starting fluid in the air filter box to start them and get them into the shop?

Refinish King?

If it don't have spark... it aint gonna run. Did you actually read the message you replyed too?

Are you talking about the old CFI units where the ECT sensor would get all gunked up? If so I don't recall having any that wouldn't start, they just ran like s*it once they did. Bob

But if you had a half a brain:

You'd spray it, and if it doesn't start. You haven't a spark!

The source of the engine in mechanical theory.

Don't be a smart ass, I read what I was replying to, you're here for help and I am trying to help!

Refinish King

PS

Do you have a spark tester? Do you know what a spark tester is? Do you know that a spark tester can tell you if the spark is weak? Just like spraying it and strating it can!

Apparently our perceptions got misconstrued somewhere. But that is exactly what I was thinking....... spray the starting fluid in the throttle and see if it fires..... that would then let us know that there is spark and the spark test would not be necessary. If it didn't seem to want to start at that point, then I would do a spark test.

Did that once on a Dodge 600 with EFI that I suspected the fuel pump was bad on... and it worked. Car ran on the starter fluid.

From what she told me, I'm kinda guessing it is bad fuel in her truck.

And, just to explain myself, I am only reluctant to do the spark test... umm..... because I don't want to get zapped myself!

Didn't get the chance to see the truck today, so I'll let you know when I do. And I thank you!

You can buy a totally encapsulated spark tester:

With a ground clamp, and you plug the plug wire on it, clamp it to ground, then have someone turn the key. It will glow like a bulb, and costs about $8.00.

I don't have that kind, I have a Thexton, which is adjustable and you can get an idea of how strong your spark is in the field, without a scope.

Sorry we got our wires crossed. (No pun intended)

Just shout out in the group if I can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,

Refinish King