'97 explorer; problem starting engine on an incline

I have this crazy problem that just started happening with my '97 Explorer
XLT SOHC
(142k miles).

My home driveway slopes downward toward my garage and when I park the front
of the
truck is lower than the back. The angle is not too great. I would guess 20
degrees.
When my gas tank is about 1/3 to 1/4 full, it's hard to get the engine to
start some times and
I then have to roll the truck down into the garage to level it out. Then
the engine starts right
up.

The crazy thing is that this just started being a problem about two months
ago. The previous
year I had no problems starting it up regardless of the amount of gas in the
tank. Unless of
course, the tank was almost bone dry.

So, any ideas what this could be? The fuel pump. A pump inside the tank?
Any help on
what this could be and the approx. cost to fix would be appreciated.

Thank you. derek

Derek wrote:
>I have this crazy problem that just started happening with my '97 Explorer
>XLT SOHC
>(142k miles).
>
I cannot explain why it just started happening, but here is a tsb on it
from Ford. Happens to me as well. I just keep the tank over 1/3 full.
Kind of an expensive fix I think



Engine - No Start/Parked On Incline w/Nose Down


Article No.
99-22-3 11/01/99

NO START - VEHICLE PARKED ON INCLINE WITH
VEHICLE NOSE DOWN AND 1/4 TANK OF FUEL

FORD:
1997-2000 EXPLORER

MERCURY:
1997-2000 MOUNTAINEER

ISSUE
A no start condition when vehicle is parked on an incline with the vehicle
in a nose down position and less than 1/4 tank of fuel may occur. This may
be caused by the fuel pump sender assembly not reaching far enough into the
front portion of the fuel tank reservoir when the vehicle is parked in this
position.

ACTION
Replace fuel pump/sender assembly with a revised fuel pump/sender assembly.
Refer to the appropriate model year Workshop Manual, Section 310-01, for
removal and installation instructions.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

XL2Z-9H307-DA Fuel Pump/Sender Assembly
(1999-2000)

F7PZ-9H307-BA Fuel Pump/Sender Assembly
(1997-1998)

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty
Coverage And Emission Warranty Coverage For 2000 Model Year Only

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

992203A Replace Fuel Pump 1.3 Hrs.

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
9H307 16

OASIS CODES: 404000, 603300

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