Ok here is the deal. I have a 93 F-150 (my dads actually), its been running fine for the past 3 yrs, then is when it happened. About the past month its been running real sluggish and acts like its losing power. The other day he drove it down the road, and it died on him when he stopped. Had a hard time getting it stared back, and when he did it blew out black smoke and would die whenever he let off of the gas. He finally got it started back, had to push the gas to the floor to get it to start, and he had to keep his foot on the accelerator so it would stay started then pull it down in drive just to get it back home. We just recently had a tune up done (new wires, new plugs, timing was suppose to be checked, new distributor cap as well). The mechanic suggested it was the tranny, but it shifts out fine and isnt showing any signs of trouble. It does use fuel really bad now, is drinking it like its free. When it was running fine he was running 93 octane, and when he switched to 87 is when it started getting worse.
We have had ppl suggest to us that it was the fuel pressure regulator, and we have had ppl say it has jumped out of time. A few ppl are still saying its the tranny, or its cause of the 87 octane. Can anyone PLEASE help us on this. We really need this truck fixed asap. Any and all help would be wonderful.

I forgot to add that it is a 5.0 engine.

Thanks

 

Try pulling codes from the computer, and go from there. The bad gas milage could be a sign of the computer switching to "limp" mode, which runs the engine very rich during engine problems, allowing you to get home. There is definitely something going on with it though, keep us posted...

 

that really sounds like the timing chain skipped a link, or your timing is waaaaay off.

 

im no expert but check your map sensor

 

Usually black smoke is a sign of richness (correct me if I'm wrong people) Might help some....

 

i thought blue smoke was a sign of richness, black smoke means its on fire lmao

 

So did you CHECK the FPR and the timing? It's NOT the transmission or the gas.

 

My guess only......Like Steve posted Fuel pressure regulator or perhaps the O2 sensor?

 

I would check the fuel pressure regulator and the O2 sensor in your cat (because of the rich mixture and black smoke) and the vacuuum control valve (because it might feed the wrong vacuum to your EGR system). Sometimes you have to try to eliminate one possible cause after another. But I would start with those unless you get more qualified advice.

 

I dont know how to check the FPR, and dont have the tools to check the timing. Dad had the cat removed because the original one was stopped up so he didnt replace it except with new pipe. Any suggestions on how to check all of this stuff? Also how do i pull the codes from the puter?

Thanks, and please keep the help coming

 

I have a Ford code reader that I purchased from an auto parts store.
It is made by Innova Electronics.
Check out the website at:
Codereader

 

How much is it and do u think O reillys would let me rent one instead of buying one? Aslo would it tell me if it has jumped time or if the FPR has gone bad?

Thanks

 

To check the FPR you need a fuel pressure gauge. It should read between 35-45 with just the pump running, 30-45 lbs at idle and 5-10 psi higher when the vacuum hose is dettached. Also, another quick check on the FPR (that you can do now) is to remove the vac hose going to it (I believe while engine is running) and check for signs of gasoline in it; if there is, it means the diaphram has ruptured and the regulator needs to be replaced.

Some auto parts stores will scan your codes for free (not sure about O'Rilley's though, maybe phone around?). Scanning codes should point you in the right direction as to what is troubling your engine though...

 

The codereader comes with an instruction book and a list of the codes. the price is listed on the link I posted. it is around $30.
this will only let you know if the computer related sensors and actuators are working properly. It won't tell you if it jumped time. A good quick check for a loose timing chain would be to remove the distributor cap and rotate the engine at the crank until the rotor moves a bit then rotate the engine back until the rotor moves the other way. If the amount of rotation is excessive, then your timing chain may have jumped a tooth.
Specialized shop tools such as a vacuum pump and a fuel pressure guage are needed to perform the FPR tests.
If you want to do the "do-it-yourself" way, you should think about buying a shop book such as Haynes for your year of vehicle to help you along.

 

You don't need a scantool to pull '84-95 EEC-IV codes - just a paperclip. Read this thread. It has a short code list, but the whole list is right here.

To check the FPR, just pull the red vacuum line off and see if there's liquid gasoline inside it.