Repair 7

On July 19, 2001 the Ford Motor Company issued a fuel system gasoline recall regarding a damaged check valve in the fuel pump sender assembly of F-Series pickup trucks. The potential number of vehicles affected is 1,556,221, according to the recall notice.

Affected Vehicles

The vehicles affected by this recall are 1990-1993 Ford F-Series pickup trucks equipped with dual fuel tanks. The recalled vehicles will have a 4.9, 5.0, 5.8 or 7.5-liter gasoline engine.

Problem

Vehicles affected can experience the transfer of fuel from one tank to the other due to a malfunction of the check valve in the fuel system. When fuel returns to the tank not being used, which is called cross flow, the non-operating tank capacity can be exceeded, which can cause fuel to run out past the filler cap and possibly create a fire hazard.

Solution

Ford has extended the warranty for possible fuel cross flow to 12 years or 150,000 miles from the start date of the warranty, whichever comes first. Dealers will repair the fuel cross flow condition at no charge.

You can remove the heater core from your 1992 Dodge Caravan yourself using tools and supplies that can be purchased from any auto parts store. The heater core is like the radiator, only smaller. Unlike the radiator, which cools the engine, the heater core warms the passenger compartment. It can be found under the dashboard. You will save yourself a lot of money on repair bills if you can do this job yourself.

Instructions

1

Drive the Caravan onto a car ramp. Shut off the engine and allow it to cool. Place a drain pan under the radiator in the front of the vehicle. Loosen the radiator cap by turning it counterclockwise. Open the radiator drain plug by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench. Let the radiators coolant drain into the pan.

2

Get under the vehicle and find the two hoses connected to the firewall. The firewall separates the engine from the driver. Using pliers, loosen the spring clamps and slip them down the hoses to remove the hoses, which connect the heater core to the engine. Watch your face and body because some coolant may leak out as you do this.

3

Plug up the holes with rags.

4

Spread blankets over the entire front interior of the vehicle to protect it from coolant leakage.

5

Use a screwdriver to remove the passenger side kick panel, radio trim panel, foot well and access panel.

6

Remove the dashboard by pulling back on it away from the windshield.

7

Remove the screws from the heater core cover using a screwdriver. This cover can be found behind the glove compartment.

8

Remove the strap holding the heater core in place using a screwdriver. Pull out the heater core, taking care not to spill any coolant.

The Nissan D21 was a series of pickup trucks manufactured in the United States from 1986 to 1997. The 1992 models use fuel injection, which requires an electric fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system. The fuel pump in the 1992 Nissan truck is installed within the fuel tank, so you must lower the fuel tank to access the fuel pump. The fuel pump in these vehicles is generally not serviceable, so a fuel pump repair consists of replacing the faulty fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Remove the fuse for the fuel pump in the fuse box located under the dashboard on the drivers side. Start the engine and allow it to run until it stalls. Crank the engine for five seconds to ensure the fuel system is empty. Replace the fuse for the fuel pump.

2

Disconnect the cable from the batterys negative terminal with a socket wrench. This will ensure that you cant start the engine accidentally while repairing the fuel pump. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. Detach the electrical connector for the fuel pump assembly. Place a hose into the fuel tank and siphon the fuel into container approved for gasoline.

3

Detach the filler tube from the fuel tank with a socket wrench. Detach the fuel lines from the fuel tank including the fuel outlet hose, fuel return hose and ventilation hose. Detach the electrical connector for the fuel gauge unit. Support the fuel tank with a jack and remove the mounting bolts for the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel tank from the vehicle and lower it to the ground with the jack.

4

Disconnect the retaining bolts for the ring on the fuel pump with a socket wrench. Discard the O-ring for the fuel pump and pull the fuel pump out of the fuel tank. Cover the hole in the fuel tank with a shop towel to prevent contamination of the fuel tank.

5

Install a new fuel pump and O-ring by reversing steps two through four. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.

The 7.3-liter Ford diesel is an engine with high ratings for fuel economy. If you are having problems with your 7.3-liter Ford diesel, you can do several things before you take it to a service center. Diesel engines are not very hard to work on. Most of the troubleshooting can be done without invasive repairs to the engine and minimal knowledge of how the engine works. Common issues reside in incorrect fuel, a bad starter or leaks from the engine.

Instructions

1

Insert and partly turn the key, to engage the Ford electrical panel. Look over the fuel gauge and make a note if there is not enough diesel in the tank to start the engine. Low fuel prevents an engine from starting.

2

Replace the fuel in the tank with the proper diesel. Changing diesel according to the season is imperative. Summer diesel will be cloudy in the winter -- this is the presence of condensation in the tank.

3

Use a siphon hose to remove the diesel from the tank. Put one end of the siphon pump into the fuel tank and then put the other end of the siphon pump into an empty gas container. Pump the siphon until the tank is empty. Fill the tank with the proper kind of diesel fuel.

4

Raise your 7.3-liter Ford with a jack, so you can get under the vehicle. Look for the small box next to the engine block on the right side of the vehicle. This is the starter. Get a helper to turn the ignition. Listen to the starter while the ignition is cranking. If you hear a clicking or a buzzing noise, have the starter replaced by a certified technician.

5

Look around the Ford for any leaks. Leaks can inhibit the car from starting properly. If you do find leaks, have the vehicle towed, or drive it to a service shop to have the leaked repaired.

The appearance of the "Check Engine" light on your 1992 Toyota indicates there is a problem with your vehicles engine, exhaust or fuel systems. The vehicle needs to be inspected by a qualified mechanic before you reset the engine light yourself. After any needed repairs have been completed, resetting the Toyotas On-Board Diagnostics computer will turn off the check engine light. All you need is an OBD scanning tool that reads the trouble codes and erases them from the OBD computer.

Instructions

1

Locate and open the fuse panel cover which is located under the steering column. Use your fingers to open it by pulling down on it from the top.

2

Look for an open port inside the fuse panel that is the same shape and size as the connector end on the OBD scanning tool. Once you have located this, plug the OBD scanning-tool connector into the port.

3

Put the key into the ignition and turn it on, but do not start the engine. This will power on the OBD scanning tool; you dont need to turn the tool on manually.

4

Wait for the display on the OBD scanning tool to read "OK." Press "Clear" on the OBD scanning tool to turn off the check engine light.

5

Unplug the scanning tool from the port and put the fuse panel cover back in place. Turn the vehicle off, wait a minute, then start the engine. Look at the instrument cluster to make sure the check engine light has turned off for good.

You can check the ABS trouble codes on your 92 Ford F-150 right from your home garage, saving yourself both time and money. The 92 F-150 comes equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics I computer (OBD I) that retrieves and stores all trouble codes sent to it from sensors positioned throughout the truck. When these sensors detect a malfunction in the anti-lock brake system (ABS), they send a code to the computer which, in turn, illuminates the ABS warning light on the instrument panel. You can retrieve these trouble codes using a small, handheld computerized device called an OBD I scan tool. You can buy one at any auto parts retailer.

Instructions

1

Find the OBD port on the drivers dashboard underneath the steering column. Plug the scan tool into this port.

2

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "II" position. Dont start the engine.

3

Wait for the scan tool to turn on. Some scan tools need to be turned on, so you may have to find the on/off switch.

4

Select the command "Retrieve Codes." Wait while the scan tool interfaces with the OBD computer. Write the codes down on a piece of paper.

5

Look up the codes in the manual that came with the scan tool. Unplug the tool and have the Fords brake system repaired based on the information obtained from the codes.