Vapor Lock?

[JamesHecker]

My Marauder is 5 years old and has 55,000 miles on it. I had just gotten home from a 30-mile drive in high 80's temperature. After being home 15 to 20 minutes, my wife and I and wife’s friend jumped in the car to dart off to church. As we got in the car my wife's friend commented on how it still has a new car smell and looks like new. I began to say how proud I was of keeping the car immaculate and taking such good care of it when it failed to stay running after starting it. It sputtered and shook and died sooner each time I started it till it wouldn't start at all.

My wife and her friend left in the friend’s car and I stayed home and fretted over the Marauder. It was pretty embarrassing that it wouldn't run just as I was gushing over it!

Well I let it sit for an hour and a half and came back to it. It started right up and ran great!

I've never had a car vapor lock on me before. I don't even know if that is what happened, but I assume it is. Once this happens, is it likely to happen again? Is it a sign of a more serious problem? Is there anything I can do to prevent it again?

[RCSignals]

I didn't think vapour lock was that common in modern fuel injected cars?

[Blackened300a]

Sounds like the first warning of the IAC motor.

[JamesHecker]

Okay...I'll bite. What's an IAC Motor?

[Marauderjack]

Idle Air Control valve...See photo!!;)

Controls......Idle air mixture.....about $70.00 and they are known to go bad!!:argue:

Marauderjack:burnout:

[DEFYANT]

My Marauder is 5 years old and has 55,000 miles on it. I had just gotten home from a 30-mile drive in high 80's temperature. After being home 15 to 20 minutes, my wife and I and wife’s friend jumped in the car to dart off to church. As we got in the car my wife's friend commented on how it still has a new car smell and looks like new. I began to say how proud I was of keeping the car immaculate and taking such good care of it when it failed to stay running after starting it. It sputtered and shook and died sooner each time I started it till it wouldn't start at all.

My wife and her friend left in the friend’s car and I stayed home and fretted over the Marauder. It was pretty embarrassing that it wouldn't run just as I was gushing over it!

Well I let it sit for an hour and a half and came back to it. It started right up and ran great!

I've never had a car vapor lock on me before. I don't even know if that is what happened, but I assume it is. Once this happens, is it likely to happen again? Is it a sign of a more serious problem? Is there anything I can do to prevent it again?

Car Moods. The Marauder did not like the wifes friend.

+1 on the IAC BTW.

[gonzo50]

Idle Air Control valve.......!!;)

Controls......Idle air mixture.....about $70.00 and they are known to go bad!!:argue:

Marauderjack:burnout:

Yep, happened to me when I first got the Marauder.
Bought it Oct. 2002, IAC was replaced Nov. 2002, with only 597 miles on it. :mad2:

Haven't had a problem with it since, now at 32,281 mi. :cool:

[Zack]

Could also be a sticking injector.
Press the gas pedal to the floor and crank it next time that happens.

[JamesHecker]

OK...thanks for the replies! Pictures even!

I do love this site! It is great to have a community like this!

[grampaws]

Vapour lock is not common on fuel inj. vehicles.
after a long drive the fuel pump can get hot..
If it is weak or defective it can stop working
until it cools down. A fuel pressure guage
connected to the fuel rail and a long hose
to place it on the dash.you can monitor fuel
pressure while driving. change fuel pump relay
it can act up when hot.

[cyclopsram]

There are eight injectors on the car... one of them sticking will only affect one cylinder...not prevent the motor from starting. It will function fine on the 7 remaining, a little shaky and unsteady, but will run..unless the cylinder filled with gas and then you may have a hydraulic lock, no crank problem... Sometimes with a sticky IAC you can fix it with the key on, and a small hammer,,,,plastic or soft metal... a coupla little raps ...it can be removed in just a few minutes with common hand tools and using carb cleaner, cleaned to work again..but, best to replace it...Ford has changed the design over the years, so your new one may not look exactly like the one taken out.. As Far as vapor lock is concerned, the only time it happened to me was with my 1992 PI, hauling a trailer in 90 degree weather... remember the CV in 92 had no opening for a grill and took all its cooling air off the hot road... Since then they have opened up the guppy mouth quite a bit and even used a higher flow grill on the p71 AND p72.. Sometimes the MAF can exhibit similar symptoms especially if you have an overoiled element.

[thePunisher]

yep just press the gas a tad when trying to start it...if it starts then your iac is sticky. i definitely agree with the above....thats it...