Pickup running like crap

Bovaloe · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 05:27 AM

91 f150 302, manual, 4x4

So I have a 30 min commute to work all highway and I jumped in and started the drive about halfway there I start to notice its got crap for power and sounds and feels like its missing on a cylinder. Still running so I finish up the drive and when I get to work I pop the hood to see what the probs are. Well it turns out it was spurting out some oil out the breather, and was pretty low on the coolant. so I topped the oil and coolant off and decided to check the pcv to see if it was stuck after work. It checks out fine. I just changed the plugs, wires, cap and rotor, maybe 500 miles ago. the only thing that I did different was throw in some fuel injector cleaner in the last tank, 20 miles into the tank is when it started happening.

I plan on pulling the plugs and checking them out and maybe doing a compression check if the plugs are cleaned up and it still running bad. Probably run the codes too.

Any other ideas on what to check?

jr32560 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 05:46 AM

checking the codes would be a start

Grantman · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 05:58 AM

I stole a '92 F150 (300 I6) from my brother in law (he's a jerk anyway) for the same problem. Unscrew the fitting for the pcv hose out of the head and make sure it's not plugged. Mine was, so I punched out the crud with a big nail, then blew a can of carb cleaner through it till it looked new. Put it back together and drove it for over 100k after that with no problms till an idiot texting and driving took out ol red. But it did give me an excuse to buy an 06 F 150 scab that I have fallen in love with. Good luck

6CylBill · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 07:48 AM

Can't add much here. Just wanted to say I doubt it was the inject cleaner; I run the stuff regularly in my truck and I have noticed nothing but positive gains from it. What kind did you use, by the way?

Bovaloe · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 12:31 PM

Yeah I cant think of how the injector cleaner would make it run like that but kind of a weird coincidence, so I put it in there. It was STP

Bovaloe · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 01:00 PM

Ok, so I went out this morning and pulled the codes. I've been trying to trace a bit of an erratic idle down for a bit and I got the same codes as before.

31, 32, 33, 41

Quote:

I stole a '92 F150 (300 I6) from my brother in law (he's a jerk anyway) for the same problem. Unscrew the fitting for the pcv hose out of the head and make sure it's not plugged. Mine was, so I punched out the crud with a big nail, then blew a can of carb cleaner through it till it looked new. Put it back together and drove it for over 100k after that with no problms till an idiot texting and driving took out ol red. But it did give me an excuse to buy an 06 F 150 scab that I have fallen in love with. Good luck

I pulled the PCV and its just held in by a little grommet on the valve cover. Its loose and free, I shot it with some carb cleaner last night when I pulled it so Its still fairly clean

Grantman · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bovaloe

Ok, so I went out this morning and pulled the codes. I've been trying to trace a bit of an erratic idle down for a bit and I got the same codes as before.

31, 32, 33, 41

I pulled the PCV and its just held in by a little grommet on the valve cover. Its loose and free, I shot it with some carb cleaner last night when I pulled it so Its still fairly clean

Try checking the fitting that is screwed into the head (or intake manifold) where your vacuum for the PCV comes from, when they get plugged it makes 'em puke oil all over and throw weird or useless codes.

Bovaloe · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 11:25 PM

Ok I found the fitting youre talking about but cant get the SOB out. Anyone got any tricks for that?
Tried for a bit but its been a long frustrating weekend and I ended up throwing a wrench across the yard so I figured I needed to call it a night

trvcampbe · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 11:46 PM

Check your egr valve,sounds like it stuck open.31,32,and 33 are egr codes.33 is egr not fully closing.41 is sytem always lean.An open egr valve is like having a huge vacuum leak which will cause it to run lean and set all the codes..

trvcampbe · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 11:49 PM

Take a small hammer while its idling and tap the egr valve a few times.This should close it..If so replace it..Unhook the vacuum line on top first in case you have a egr solenoid prob..

trvcampbe · #11 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 11:54 PM

Sound like more than one problem..But the running rough is more than likely the egr valve..

Bovaloe · #12 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 10:44 PM

I got the fitting out and it wasnt clogged so I cleaned it up and put it back together.
I have taken the EGR off completely and it was opening and closing fine and wasnt all gummed up or anything.
My pickup is still running rough and having some oil blowby issues.

Anything else I can check? Kinda running out of ideas here

trvcampbe · #13 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 10:53 PM

You said you checked the pcv valve and fitting at intake,have you checked the hose connecting the two?

Bovaloe · #14 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trvcampbe

You said you checked the pcv valve and fitting at intake,have you checked the hose connecting the two?

yeah its got some surface cracks but its still solid, its a pretty heavy duty hose

trvcampbe · #15 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 11:03 PM

You can blow through it?