1988 Ford van stalls mid-drive and won't start for 15 min

Asked by Guru9W68R Jun 14, 2017 at 07:23 PM about the 1988 Ford E-Series E-150 STD Econoline

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I've got a campervan and I drove it over 1,000 miles without issue, but
recently it's been stalling out on me, and then it won't start. It kind of jossles
and dies like I ran out of gas, but I have plenty. So I pull over without power
steering, and when I try to start it, it turns over just fine but it won't fire. It
also seems to after a few minutes start but sputter really slow and die out
within seconds. I also smell a foul gas when this is happening too.

So after 15 minutes, I turn the key and it will start up normally and drive.
But the last couple of times it seemed to start but I heard a pop, like
something slapping the inside of the hood. Didn't sound to good but it ran
fine after that. So I've had it die 4 times now but it never fails if I wait awhile
it will start back up. I'm not a mechanic and I'm in an area I don't know well,
so it kind of sucks. So I'm looking for any kind of advice on what this could
be, and how much I would expect to pay to have it repaired.

70,925

Kelly answered 7 years ago

WHEN WAS IT TUNED UP LAST AND THE FUEL FILTER..IS IT OK???

Mark helpful

Guru9W68R answered 7 years ago

I'm not sure if the fuel filter is okay or not, that's what someone said to check, but I couldn't get the thing off. It has those white triangle looking tabs and I pried it out a ways but the thing won't come off, I don't know if there's a trick to it that I can't find or what and I don't know if I need to do something to depressurize it or if it's fine.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

1988 Ford van stalls mid-drive and won't start for 15 min 2 Answers

I've got a campervan and I drove it over 1,000 miles without issue, but recently it's been stalling out on me, and then it won't start. It kind of jossles and dies like I ran out of gas, but I have ...

1988 Ford E-Series E-150 STD Econoline

-

Maintenance & Repair
1988 Ford Truck E350 1 ton Van 7.5L MFI OHV 8cyl won't start :( 4 Answers

Previous owner only drove it 12 miles on locale roads. We purchased it was fine driving at local levels, once we got to motorway @ 60 mph was good for a bit, then had to go to 50 mph, and couldn't g...

1988 Ford E-Series E-350 XL Super Club Wagon Extended Passenger RWD

-

Maintenance & Repair
location of under hood fuse box for 1988 Ford E350 van 5 Answers

Location of under hood fuse box for 1988 Ford E350 van. It's NOT on the left fender apron as was told.

1988 Ford E-Series E-350 XL Super Club Wagon Extended Passenger RWD

-

Maintenance & Repair
Why won't my van start? 1 Answer

In past 12 months, I have replaced MANY parts in my 1992 E-150. Suddenly, it will turn over fine but not fire. A few days later, I was successful in getting it started. Then, a few days later again...

1992 Ford E-Series E-150 XLT Club Wagon

-

Maintenance & Repair
i have a 1991 econoline van, i recently put a new starter,alternator,battery,selonoid,battery, cables, ( which i had to use an extention on the cables ground to hook it to the original ground on the engine) my problem is when i drive and stop it won't start back up but if it sits for about an hour it will start again, but now it seems that the battery is run down and i have to re-charge the battery for over 5 hours and it didn't take a full re-charge any suggestion. thank you 1 Answer

i recently put a new starter,alternator,battery,sel... battery cables,and it wont keep a charge, when i drive it and stop it wont start back up sometimes if it sets a while it will start back up and n...

1991 Ford E-Series E-350 STD Econoline Cargo Van Extended

-

Maintenance & Repair

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.