Fuel Supply Line - Tapping Noise
88ford13
Article No. 88-12-17
^ FUEL SYSTEM - 3.8L EFI - "TAPPING" NOISE - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/01/88
^ NOISE - "TAPPING" FROM FUEL SYSTEM - 3.8L EFI - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/01/88
FORD: 1988 THUNDERBIRD
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1988 COUGAR
ISSUE: A "tapping" noise heard in the passenger compartment when ambient temperatures are below 40~F, (4~C), may actually be fuel hammering caused by the current production fuel supply line between the rear fuel filter and engine fuel rail. The "tapping" noise is most noticeable at engine idle and occurs at a frequency of about one pulse per engine revolution.
ACTION: To correct this, install a new fuel supply line with an in-line pulse damper. Refer to the following service procedure.
1. Relieve the fuel line pressure using the pressure relief valve located on the fuel rail. Refer to 1988 Car Shop Manual, Volume D, Section 24-50-6 for service details.
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist and remove the right front tire and wheel assembly.
3. Remove the fasteners holding the right front wheel house splash shield and remove the splash shield.
FIGURE 7:
4. Disconnect the fitting that connects the fuel supply line to the outlet of the rear mounted fuel filter, Figure 7A. Refer to the 1988 Car Shop Manual, Volume D, Section 24-50-9 for service details.
5. Using a 1/4" (6 mm) drill bit, drill out the three (3) rivets holding the plastic fuel line retainer bracket to the underbody, Figure 7B. Do not allow the drill bit to enter into the passenger compartment carpet area. Remove fuel supply line from bracket.
6. Pry out and throw away the three black plastic push pins that hold the three (3) white plastic fuel line clips to the floor reinforcement rail, Figure 7C.
FIGURE 8:
7. Remove the metal retainer strap that holds the two (2) nylon fuel lines and nylon vapor tube to the front torque box, Figure 8A.
8. Remove the two (2) screws that hold the two (2) metal fuel line clips to the right hand front wheel housing, Figure 8B. The two (2) metal clips which hold the steel tubes together must be removed from the steel tubes by prying the clip tabs back and then opening the clips.
9. Remove the spring lock coupling retainer clip on the "supply" connection only. The "supply" connection is the larger connector located forward of the smaller "return" connection. Remove the supply spring lock coupling from the fuel rail using Rotunda Tool Part No. D87L-9280-B, Figure 8C. Refer to the 1988 Car Shop Manual, Volume D, Section 24-50-10 for service details.
10. Remove the fuel supply line by pulling the line out through the fender apron opening in the wheel house.
11. Feed the new fuel line with the damper through the fender apron opening in the wheel house, routing it underneath the clean air duct.
12. Connect the spring lock coupling to the fuel rail.
13. Remove the fuel line retainer clip from the old fuel supply line that was removed in Step 10. Install the retainer clip on the new fuel line as shown in Figure 8D.
14. Using the two (2) new steel fuel line clips provided in the service kit, mount the two (2) steel fuel tubes to the wheel house, Figure 8B.
15. Install the metal retainer strap that holds the two (2) nylon fuel lines and nylon vapor tube to the front torque box, Figure 8A.
FIGURE 7:
16. Install the three (3) white plastic fuel line clips around the fuel lines and attach them to the floor reinforcement with the three (3) new push pins provided in the service kit, Figure 7C.
17. Position the fuel line in the plastic retainer bracket and rivet the retainer to the floor pan with the three (3) rivets provided in the service kit, Figure 7B.
18. Route the fuel line through the round plastic clip near the fuel filter outlet and attach it to the fuel filter outlet, Figure 7A.
19. Install the right front wheel house splash shield.
20. Install the right front tire and wheel assembly.
PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS
E8SZ-9200-A Fuel Line Service Kit CG
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION: 881217A
TIME: 1.0 Hr.
DLR. CODING: Basic Part No. 9A274
Condition Code: 56