What the hell is wrong with my van???

[Howley]

I know this is not a moto topic but i figure it'll get more help here.

I have a Ford Econovan, it's a 2L carby petrol engine. Two days ago I'm driving it home and it starts dying. If I try to give it some gas it just won't fire, it's like the engine is still spinning but not sparking. If I keep accelerating it backfires massively. This is the case even when it isn't moving. The next day it seemed fine so I drove it, but it started doing it again after about 1km.
It's strange. It doesn't shudder or anything, it just makes zero power, engine stops revving, and it backfires. If I let off the accelerator it runs again. It starts and Idles fine.
I changed the fuel filter but that didn't do it. I thought it felt the same as my monster did when there was water in the carbs, and it was raining the day it happened, but the past two days have been fine and sunny and it still happens. I haven't checked the plugs because I don't have a wrench with me.

What could it be??

[Howie]

It does sound like a fuel problem.  I would try these two ideas first:

Remove the top of the carb.  Inspect the fuel in the float bowl for contamination and fuel level.
Test the fuel pump for pressure and volume.

If there is junk in the carbs you will need to clean the fuel tank as well.

[64duc]

Change the fuel filter.

[ducpainter]

I'd use drygas first and take things apart later.

[Ddan]

Try running it with the cap off the tank

[Howley]

I'd use drygas first and take things apart later.

So it sounds like water in the fuel to you nate?

[ducpainter]

So it sounds like water in the fuel to you nate?

It's the first thing I try when a rig suddenly acts like you describe.

It's cheap...and can't hurt anything if you add a small container to a tank of fuel.

It isn't always instantaneous though. Water can hide in a fuel system.

[Rameses]

It's probably b/c you're on the bottom-side of the world and your gas is dumping out of your float bowls.

[Popeye the Sailor]

It's probably b/c you're on the bottom-side of the world and your gas is dumping out of your float bowls.

He's right.

Turn the Van over.

[Major Slow]

Check to see if your exhaust is plugged