When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I recently replaced the left valve cover gasket on my 1990 2.9L Ranger and now when I start it the fuel pump does not cycle right when turning the key on. It just keeps running. Any suggestions on what I could have done or knocked loose when reinstalling the valve cover?
There is a relay for the fuel pump, located under the hood in the fuse box. Does the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds when you first turn the key to "ON"? You have to listen for it; the relay will click on and off, and the pump should whirl between the clicks. Repeating this a couple of times should pressurize the lines, so no bleeding is necessary. If it's not doing this, the problem could be the relay or the pump.
You can check for pressure by going to the fuel rail, usually near the front passenger side, and look for the Schrader valve; it's like a tire valve. Carefully stick a screw or nail point against the valve core, and fuel should squirt out. That should confirm that there's pressure building up in the lines.