Paranormal activity!?!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 241
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From: foot hills
Paranormal activity!?!
I have an '86 F-150 w/300 6. It runs just fine during dry weather, but loses idle very badly and eventually dies in rainy/wet weather. I have no idea what the problem could be. The idle literally just decreases and eventually the engine dies.
Any ideas? I can manage to keep it running by giving it throttle, however that is no fun with a 4-speed when driving in traffic...
Any ideas? I can manage to keep it running by giving it throttle, however that is no fun with a 4-speed when driving in traffic...
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 628
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From: Colorado
Paranormal activity!?!
I found that my air filter had become coated by what appeared to be salt from the roads as they dried following snowstorms. They use a liquid here - mag-chloride - in combination with the usual rock salt/sand. The filter didn't look too dirty but I did notice an improvement when I changed it out...($3).
I think the others here are on the right track. Your problem sounds electrical in nature. Conductive grease in the harness connections might help...
I think the others here are on the right track. Your problem sounds electrical in nature. Conductive grease in the harness connections might help...
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 288
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From: Northeast Wisconsin
Paranormal activity!?!
Take your ignition coil into an auto parts store (Auto Zone, etc) & have them check it out. Also take in the TFI control unit located in the base of the distributor for a checkup. Both units will absorb moisture as they cool down after having been driven, especially in damp weather, and give you starting or running problems when you start back up with a cold engine.
My first bet is the coil, although I found a bad TFI module on my son's '87 300. The truck still ran, but not very well. A coil costs about $20.00 & the TFI unit about $35.00, as I recall.
My first bet is the coil, although I found a bad TFI module on my son's '87 300. The truck still ran, but not very well. A coil costs about $20.00 & the TFI unit about $35.00, as I recall.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: foot hills
Paranormal activity!?!
It rained again today and of course it started the same thing after I drove a few miles. This time, however, I smelled gas like it was flooded or something. I guess I'll tear into it as soon as I get a chance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Paranormal activity!?!
I had an '84 F150 300 I6 and it did the same thing. Ran great until it rained or snowed and then it would act up, missing and running rough and not holding an idle. We replaced so many things (cap, rotor, wires, ignition modules, pickup coils, fuel pump, choke, etc.) and it never was cured. It still does it after 190,000 miles. One thing to do: next time it is dying, have someone keep tickling the accelerator pedal to keep it alive and you go check the carb, whether it is bone dry or dumping fuel in. I did that and it was bone dry and then we found the fuel pump had a diaphram leak that was marginal enough apparently to cause it to act up during storms (diff atmos press???). Seemed to solve it for a while, but then it started doing it again, perhaps for another reaons or the fuel pump was not all that was wrong. Who knows. Not my problem anymore. Sold it--on a dry sunny day