Christmas blues
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Christmas blues
Can anyone out there help me???
I've just about reached the end of my rope. My 88-300-150 is running rough at higher rpm's (Like it's running on 3 cyliniders.)
I've changed both fuel pumps, the distributer, the coil and the plugs and wires. Now I'm ready to put on a pressure regulator. But that isn't as easy to do as I thought it would be. The upper intake is blocking the bolts to it and it might take some effort. Before I do that I thought I should check the fuel pressure to see if the regulator is bad. So I have two questions
1. How do you check the fuel pressure after the regulator?
2. If it is bad, is there an easy way to change the regulator?
Thanks in advance for the ideas.
Have a great holiday season!
I've just about reached the end of my rope. My 88-300-150 is running rough at higher rpm's (Like it's running on 3 cyliniders.)
I've changed both fuel pumps, the distributer, the coil and the plugs and wires. Now I'm ready to put on a pressure regulator. But that isn't as easy to do as I thought it would be. The upper intake is blocking the bolts to it and it might take some effort. Before I do that I thought I should check the fuel pressure to see if the regulator is bad. So I have two questions
1. How do you check the fuel pressure after the regulator?
2. If it is bad, is there an easy way to change the regulator?
Thanks in advance for the ideas.
Have a great holiday season!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 772
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From: Glen Burnie Maryland
Put a gauge on the pressure port of the FUEL RAIL at the back end of the engine (near #6 on pass side!)
Turn key to ON. DO NOT START ENGINE YET! take reading. Should be 58-61 psi.
NOW START THE ENGINE. Pressure should drop approx. 3 psi from 1st reading. If it drops more than 5 replace the regulator.
Pull the vacuum line off the regulator with engine running. Pressure should go back up. Also check for wetness in the hose. HOSE WET=BAD REGULATOR.
If you have SMALL HANDS (and not many of us do) you can get in there with an allen key and undo the screws. Which is a "PITA" because of the tight space. Go down to auto parts store and get an upper intake gasket, pull the upper off and replace the regulator.
Fuel "AFTER" the regulator is going back to the tank. Fuel comes from the tank pressurized and runs the rail, injectors and then past the regulator. So no real need to check pressure after the regulator.
Larry
Turn key to ON. DO NOT START ENGINE YET! take reading. Should be 58-61 psi.
NOW START THE ENGINE. Pressure should drop approx. 3 psi from 1st reading. If it drops more than 5 replace the regulator.
Pull the vacuum line off the regulator with engine running. Pressure should go back up. Also check for wetness in the hose. HOSE WET=BAD REGULATOR.
If you have SMALL HANDS (and not many of us do) you can get in there with an allen key and undo the screws. Which is a "PITA" because of the tight space. Go down to auto parts store and get an upper intake gasket, pull the upper off and replace the regulator.
Fuel "AFTER" the regulator is going back to the tank. Fuel comes from the tank pressurized and runs the rail, injectors and then past the regulator. So no real need to check pressure after the regulator.
Larry
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
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From: Langhorne, PA
You're sure there is something wrong with the regulator, distributor or fuel pumps, you change them and it doesn't solve the problem. Then you start working on the fuel rail, what is your method of troubleshooting? I don't get it..if I was going to start throwing money at a problem I would have started with the easiest/cheapest items first.
Have you changed the fuel filter, or even tried running an injector cleaner through the fuel line. Maybe one injector is leaking, can you ever smell fuel in there. Have you tried to pull codes? How is the vacuum system? What is your compression from one to six? Is the timing OK? How much coolant and oil is the engine consuming?
Give us a more detailed story and we could probably walk you through the problem. I understand Xmas is hectic, and it is difficult to concentrate on a difficult repair like this one.
Get back to us.
Have you changed the fuel filter, or even tried running an injector cleaner through the fuel line. Maybe one injector is leaking, can you ever smell fuel in there. Have you tried to pull codes? How is the vacuum system? What is your compression from one to six? Is the timing OK? How much coolant and oil is the engine consuming?
Give us a more detailed story and we could probably walk you through the problem. I understand Xmas is hectic, and it is difficult to concentrate on a difficult repair like this one.
Get back to us.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Okay, Christmas is over and the silver beast sits idol in the driveway. Your reply has my head spinning. I agree, my troubleshooting is pretty crappy, but let me continue. (I could have bought a pretty good truck by now with the money I've thrown at this thing but it's the sentimental value, raised three kids with it and all) Anyway, here is the sad list of my efforts.
Electrical
New coil
New distributor cap
New wires
Fuel
Both fuel pumps (only one of the intank pumps)
Fuel filter
Fuel regulator
Two or three injection cleaners
One high pressure injection cleaning at the garage
Result
Still running rough
As you accelerate is coughs and spits, it never really idles good.
I promise to follow your recommendations if you would be kind enough to help a jackleg out.
Thanks for the help.
Electrical
New coil
New distributor cap
New wires
Fuel
Both fuel pumps (only one of the intank pumps)
Fuel filter
Fuel regulator
Two or three injection cleaners
One high pressure injection cleaning at the garage
Result
Still running rough
As you accelerate is coughs and spits, it never really idles good.
I promise to follow your recommendations if you would be kind enough to help a jackleg out.
Thanks for the help.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
I would start out with pulling the error codes.
Do a search on "Error Codes" to find info on how to retrive the codes. It's a little time consuming; but, it should get you on the right track to the problem.
Good luck - keep posting for help as you go.
Oscar
Do a search on "Error Codes" to find info on how to retrive the codes. It's a little time consuming; but, it should get you on the right track to the problem.
Good luck - keep posting for help as you go.
Oscar
