I have an 88 Ranger - 2.0 liter, carburated.. The truck has sat under a tree for a couple of years - I recently got it running again (had a shop replace the head) - but it is now having trouble starting up. If I pump the gas 9 or 10 times b4 turning it over, the engine will cough & run a second or two, but then it dies. If I pump the gas and turn over again, same thing happens.

If I do this enough times, it will eventually start running OK. Once it stays running, I can turn it off, and it will start right back up. After it sits overnight or so, the same problem occurs again.

I can keep the engine running by spraying starter fluid in the carb also - but it dies until the thing warms up.

Probably unrelated - when the engine is warmed up, and I am driving it, if I floor it, the engine kind of chokes, it actually looses speed instead of gaining it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks

 

try checking and replacing the fuel filter.

 

And the fuel pump for good measure...

 

first - Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Well, I drove the truck after getting it started yesterday - while on the interstate it started to lose power.. I got off the road and into a parking lot, where it quit on me.
Trying to start it, it would only run for a couple of seconds, then sputter and die.

I read the suggestions about fuel pump and filter - this afternoon I replaced the fuel filter - The fuel pump does work - I filled up a beer bottle with gas from the fuel line by turning over the engine.
(no, I didn't drink the beer immediately prior to working on the truck!)
Changing the fuel filter had no effect.
Currently, if I pump the gas several times and start, it will run a couple of seconds, then die.
When I don't pump the gas, it just turns over, doesn't even try to start.

Seems odd - I had high hopes for replacing the fuel filter - that made sense to me as a likely problem.

Any further suggestions?

PS: when I ran the fuel line into the beer bottle, I did get a fair amount of stuff (rust?) with the gas. I ran it until the gas coming through was clean - about 24 oz.

 

Also check your fuel pump pressure - as it may not hold pressure to the carburetor overnight. If I remember correctly it should be 4 - 7 psi. Also, if you look into the carburetor in the morning before trying to start the truck and pump the accelerator, is there any fuel spraying into the throat? e.g. is the fuel draining from the float bowl overnight?? Just my 2 cents worth.

Russ

 

Bingo Russ, there are two check valves in the fuel pump,
if one fails, it'll let the fuel flow back to the tank, through
a siphon effect, dieing at high load ( running down the
high way ) is a sure sign that the fuel pump is on the edge...

 

It sat under a tree for a couple of years.Drain the gas tank flush the gas lines and have the carb rebuilt.

 

well, since it broke down in a parking lot, I broke down and took to to a nearby shop.

They are rebuilding the carburator - said it was full of debris.
I would have tried to rebuild it myself, but it would have cost over $100 just to have it towed to my apt.

Thanks for everyones suggestions - I'm learning alot.

-JJ