1985 Ford Econoline problems
The Ford E-Series (also known as the Ford Econoline, Ford Econovan or Ford Club Wagon) is a range of full-size vans manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced for 1961 as the replacement of the Ford F-Series panel van, four generations of the model line have been produced. Marketed for both cargo and passenger transport configurations, the E-Series has been designed with multiple design variations for both retail and commercial sale, including vans, and commercial-grade cutaway van chassis and stripped chassis (a chassis without bodywork).
With over 8.2 million units sold since 1961, the Ford E-Series is the third-best selling van line in history (outranked only by the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Transporter). Ford retired the E-Series passenger and cargo vans after 2014, replacing them with the Ford Transit. As of current production, the E-Series remains offered exclusively in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations. In 2021, the model line entered its 60th year of production (becoming the second current Ford line to do so).
The E-Series (cutaway/stripped chassis) is assembled by Ford at its Ohio Assembly facility (Avon Lake, Ohio), which has produced the model line since 1975. Prior to its closure, Lorain Assembly (Lorain, Ohio) assembled the model line from 1961 to 2005.
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Common 1985 Ford Econoline problems
Common problems with the Ford Econoline 1985, based on complaints from owners, include:
- Hard Starting After Sitting: Owners report difficulty starting the van after it has been sitting for a while. This issue can be frustrating and may indicate underlying problems with the engine or fuel system.
- Rough Idling Before Warming Up: The van tends to idle roughly before it warms up, improving slightly but not perfectly after reaching operating temperature. This could be a sign of issues with fuel delivery or engine components.
- Throttle Response Issues: Accelerating too quickly before the van is warmed up can cause it to bog down and almost stall. This issue can affect the drivability of the vehicle, especially during startup and acceleration.
- Serpentine Belt Squeaking: A common complaint is the loud squeaking of the serpentine belt right after startup, which diminishes as the van warms up. This could be due to belt wear or issues with the belt tensioner.
- Fuel System Problems: Owners have reported significant fuel-related issues, such as stalling when put in gear, stalling on inclines, and difficulty restarting after stalling. These issues can be indicative of fuel pump, filter, or carburetor problems.
- Electrical System Malfunctions: Electrical issues can manifest in various ways, including dashboard warning lights, which should not be ignored as they indicate underlying problems that could affect the vehicle's performance and safety.
- Brake Problems: Brake-related issues like worn brake pads, leaking brake fluid, and warped rotors are common. These problems can compromise the van's braking performance and safety if not addressed promptly.
- Steering and Suspension Concerns: Maintaining the steering and suspension system is crucial for a smooth ride and vehicle control. Misalignment or steering wheel pulling can pose safety risks and should be addressed by trained technicians.
These problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to any signs of trouble to ensure the Ford Econoline 1985 runs smoothly and reliably.
What is the gas mileage on a 1985 E 350 Econoline?
Based on data from 3 vehicles, 127 fuel-ups and 16,910 miles of driving, the 1985 Ford E-350 Econoline gets a combined Avg MPG of 8.53 with a 0.19 MPG margin of error.
How long do Ford Econoline vans last?
What is the realistic life expectancy for a well-maintained gasoline cargo van such as a Ford econoline? If it doesn't rust away, a well maintained van can last INDEFINITELY, compared to what it costs to buy a NEW van to replace your old one.
Why was Ford Econoline discontinued?
In June 2014, production of E-Series passenger and cargo vans was discontinued as sales of the Ford Transit began in North America; at the time of its retirement, the model line had been the best-selling full-size van line in the United States since 1980.
Are Ford Econolines good on gas?
I average 13 in city, sometimes towing. I get a solid 15-16 hwy as long as I keep my foot out of it. If you do plan to go 4wd in the future, I would recommend stepping up to the diesel or V10.
How long do Ford Econoline vans last?
What is the realistic life expectancy for a well-maintained gasoline cargo van such as a Ford econoline? If it doesn't rust away, a well maintained van can last INDEFINITELY, compared to what it costs to buy a NEW van to replace your old one.
Why was Ford Econoline discontinued?
In June 2014, production of E-Series passenger and cargo vans was discontinued as sales of the Ford Transit began in North America; at the time of its retirement, the model line had been the best-selling full-size van line in the United States since 1980.
What is the mpg on a 1985 Ford Econoline e350 motorhome?
Based on data from 3 vehicles, 127 fuel-ups and 16,910 miles of driving, the 1985 Ford E-350 Econoline gets a combined Avg MPG of 8.53 with a 0.19 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 23 outliers (15.33%) removed.
Are Ford Econolines good on gas?
I average 13 in city, sometimes towing. I get a solid 15-16 hwy as long as I keep my foot out of it. If you do plan to go 4wd in the future, I would recommend stepping up to the diesel or V10.
1985 Ford Econoline car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Econoline problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel system problems
- Diesel problems
- Tires problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Ford Econoline vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1985 Ford Econoline complaints
The NHTSA has received 15 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Ford Econoline.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FDKE30L3FH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: RECALL 85V061 WAS COMPLETE ON VEHICLE, HOWEVER NOW THE TANK WILL ONLY ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO FILL IT UP HALF WAY. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FDKE30L3FH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SO HOT THE CONSUMER COULD NOT PLACE THEIR HAND ON IT, IT ALSO HAD A BURNING SMELL. *SLC
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FDKE30L3FH
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: RECALL 85V061 WAS COMPLETE ON VEHICLE, HOWEVER NOW THE TANK WILL ONLY ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO FILL IT UP HALF WAY. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1FDKE30L3FH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS SO HOT THE CONSUMER COULD NOT PLACE THEIR HAND ON IT, IT ALSO HAD A BURNING SMELL. *SLC
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-16
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATION AND BLOW OUT ON JULY 24, 1999. PURCHASED (2) NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE ON JULY 30, 1999 AND HAD THEM PUT ON BACK AND MOVED OLDER TIRES TO REAR. NOTICED SEVERE VIBRATION AND TOOK CAR TO FIRESTONE AND THEY FOUND TREAD SEPARATION. I DID NOT REALIZE TIRES HAD PROBLEMS UNTIL I READ ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE NEWSPAPER.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225-75-R1 )
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-06-09
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: (FIRESTONE R17) TIRE FAILED. *YC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-07
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: IGNITION SWITCH FAILED.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-11
- VIN: 1FTEE24F3FH
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP WHEN ENGAGING EMERGENCY BRAKE. *DSH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-07-15
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1FTDE14FXFH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED 45 MINUTES, ENGINE QUIT, SMOKE STARTED COMING IN FROM UNDERHOOD;OPENED HOOD, DISCONNECTED BATTERY. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-05
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1FDKE3017FH
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO 2 PARKED CARS. *SD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-26
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE PARKED, FIRE DEVELOPED UNDERNEATH THE DASH. OWNER RECEIVED BURNS AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-26
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE PARKED, FIRE DEVELOPED UNDERNEATH THE DASH. OWNER RECEIVED BURNS AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-26
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE PARKED, FIRE DEVELOPED UNDERNEATH THE DASH. OWNER RECEIVED BURNS AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-04
- VIN: 1FDKE30L1FH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE FAILURE, WHEN COMING STEP DOWN GRADING BRAKES OVER HEATED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-07-01
- VIN: 1FDKE30L3FH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT END NOISE. *AK
1985 Ford Econoline recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 1985 Ford Econoline.
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
- Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
- Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES IN SEVERE DUTY APPLICATIONS.
- Consequence: THIS CREATES POTENTIAL FOR FUEL EXPULSION FROM THE FUELFILLER PIPE WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN AFIRE.
- Remedy: INSTALL MODIFICATION KITS TO MINIMIZE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL EXPULSION AND TO SHIELD UNDERBODY COMPONENTS FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
- Summary: EXPULSION OF FUEL DUE TO OVERPRESSURIZATION.
- Consequence: FUEL OR FUEL VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITIONSOURCE CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
- Remedy: MODIFICATION OF THE BASE FUEL VENTING AND EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM TO REDUCE OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURES.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
- Summary: FUEL LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK IN THE AREA OF THE VAPOR VALVE GROMMET. GROMMET MAY SPLIT DUE TO COMPRESSIVE LOAD WHEN INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK.
- Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK FROM VAPOR VALVE AND BECOME THE SOURCE OFFUEL FOR A FIRE.
- Remedy: INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED VAPOR VALVE GROMMET.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
- Summary: THE RUBBER THAT ENCASES BALL STUD AND SOCKET JOINT (CONNECTS STEERING DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM) MAY DETERIORATE, CAUSING METAL TO METAL CONTACT, AND MAY EVENTUALLY RESULT IN COMPLETE SEPARATION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE DRAG LINK TO PITMAN ARM CONNECTION RESULTS IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL NEW DRAG LINK ASSEMBLIES WITH STEEL BALL AND SOCKET JOINTS AT THE PITMAN ARM CONNECTIONS.
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
- Summary: WHEN FRONTALLY IMPACTED INTO A FIXED BARRIER AT 30 MPH, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 301, THE LEFT FRAME RAILS OF SUCH VEHICLES MAY DISPLACE INBOARD, PINCHING THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR CANISTER BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND ENGINE SUFFICIENTLY TO DISPLACE THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR DRAIN ROD, ALLOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE CANISTER TO DRAIN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: FUEL LEAK DURING OR AFTER A CRASH INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.
- Remedy: INSTALL A CANISTER SHIELD, A REVISED DESIGN DRAIN ROD SHIELD, AND MODIFY FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR MOUNTING BRACKET.
Additional sources
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