Fuel Reservoir Check Valve Problem in 1988 Model
 

Hi Guys'

My 1988 Ranger has the 2 fuel pumps system with the single-use fuel reservoir
(with no filter) between the pumps. The truck had not been starting or running
well and I traced the problem to the fuel reservoir. The reservoir bowl
o-ring leaks and the reservoir inlet check-valve is bad. The valve has
"jumped" its seat and rattles around loose up inside the reservoir top along
with the spring. I can pull it back down but it's too worn to stay in place.
If I blow air into the inlet nipple the valve sometimes blocks the fuel
inlet passage. I think the same thing happens with incoming fuel. That is,
the valve piece blocks the passage and starves the reservoir bowl and frame pump
of fuel and air gets sucked in through the leaky gasket. The engine runs
really crappy that way.

My question is this: How essential is the reservoir check-valve? If I remove
the broken check-valve from the reservoir and operate it like that, will the
fuel system still work if everything else is right? Isn't there another
check-valve in the tank-pump that serves the same purpose as the reservoir
check-valve? Has anyone tried running without the reservoir check-valve? If
so, what were the results?

New reservoirs are hard to find and expensive. The only one I found
online is $131.00 plus $4.99 shipping. Aftermarket units don't seem to be
available. Possibly I can find one in a junk-yard but there are no
junk-yards nearby. I'd like to just pull the check-valve piece and spring out and replace the bowl o-ring and try it like that. I may do it. But I'd like to hear you
guys' opinions and experience on the matter. Some of you must know this
goofy 2 fuel pump system and how it works way better than me.

I believe the part number for the single-use reservoir unit is:
FOTZ-9K044-A.

Thanks,
Herb W

My 1987 Ranger 2.9L has the same setup and the same rough-idle/running problem. I've tried new fuel filters, new injectors, new fuel tank, new distributor, new fuel pumps (both), and new spark plugs. Did gutting the check valve work? Do you still have a source for the $131.00 plus $4.99 shipping reservoir?

Ranger Fuel Reservoir
 

Yes, removing the broken check valve from the reservoir did work. However, I only use the truck rarely as a firewood hauler on my property and have never taken it on the highway since removing the check valve plunger.

The $131.00 plus 4.99 reservoir was the Amazon seller "Auto Supply Mall" (from my car maintenance notebook). But I ran the part number through Amazon just now and it's not available anymore. Nor does eBay list any.

Have you removed the reservoir to inspect the check valves? Mine had worn enough to jump the inlet valve seat and was blocking the gas flow into the reservoir. When I took it apart I could see the valve wasn't seating properly so I removed the plunger and reinstalled it. Then the engine ran properly.

Good luck! Let us know what you find out.

I drilled out the checkvalve. I now think the fuel rail is being starved, but finding a new/used fuel reservoir so far has not yielded results.

What kind of fuel pressure are you getting at the rail Schrader valve?

If you disconnect the fuel line at the reservoir and run the pumps are you getting a solid steam of fuel?