Hey all! I am new to the forum and thought I would start off by saying "hello" and talk about some of the issues I am having with my father’s truck.

It is a 1990 F150 with a 351w.

Issues (from an email my father sent me):

1) When I run the truck through the car wash, sometimes while in the car wash the engine will suddenly race up to 2,000 rpm and occasionally the check engine light will come on for a while. When this happens and I am in the car wash, I shut the engine down and wait for the car wash to finish then start it up to leave and it is fine and not racing to 2,000 rpm. So, this is strange as something is getting wet and shorting something out?

2) Another thing, and it may be related to item 1 above, is that I seem to “eat” MAP sensors and ICM’s. I seem to have to replace the MAP sensor every couple of months and every 4 or 5 months I have to replace the ICM.

I get massive engine vibration and no power before I replace the MAP sensor. I swap out the MAP and it goes away but the truck still has been running rough for a long time now. The ICM goes out every now and then and the acts like it is running on 4 cylinders so I always carry a spare (it has only happen twice in the past year and half).

3) Main issue: Truck idles rough and the gas smells coming out of the exhaust. Here is what I have done and/or replaced:

· Plugs look great but I replaced them anyway.
· ICM
· TPS
· MAP
· IAC
· EGR Solenoid and Valve
· Coil (from one I had leftover)
· Ignition wires
· Rotor and cap
· Distributor
· Fuel Filter
· Checked timing at 10 degrees BTC (I also trying playing with the timing by setting it at 13 BTC, 8 BTC, etc but it made not much of a difference other than a change in power so I moved it back to 10 degrees).

When I go full throttle the truck takes off.

Hope someone can get me going in the right direction. I deploy soon and would like to get my fathers truck going strong for him before I leave.


Thanks!


Stang

 

First thing to do is to pull codes using KOEO test.

 

Check to make sure the cowl panel seal/weatherstripping isn't worn away - its what prevents water from dripping down between the windshield cowl panel and the hood. It should have a nice fat lip on it that prevents water from getting in there. That could be why you need MAP sensors so often, given its location on the truck.

 

I will check for the codes once I get the truck as well as check the seal.

I will let you know what I find out