88 E150 ignition problem?
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Colville, Washington
88 E150 ignition problem?
I have an 88 E150 with less than 5000 miles on a NAPA long block rebuild. It has started to make what feels like an ignition cutout at 60 mph, but the duration of the cutout is so short that I can't isolate the problem. At first it felt like maybe a u joint or something, because there is a slight thump when it does this. My mechanic has instructed me to continue driving it like this until it gets bad enough to isolate the problem. Does anyone have any clues or experienced this problem? One buddy scared the bejesus out of me by saying it could be the timing chain skipping. If that is so, couldn't it be disastrous to keep driving that way. thank you in advance to anyone with a reply.
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From: Colville, Washington
no he didn't. Father in law drove van and he thinks its the transmission slipping in and out of gear. Only does it holding at 60-65 mph, hold down to 55 and lower doesn't do it or frequency is much less. Again, the hickup, whatever it is happens and then recoveres so fast it's hard to tell what's going on. Would the hickup have to happen while connected to code reader to give an error indication? Father in law is so sure of himself and his diagnosis he's ready to take the van 70 miles to Spokane to AAMCO
but though he means well and thinks he's helping, he has been wrong and cost me money before (i'm disabled and he's trying to help
but though he means well and thinks he's helping, he has been wrong and cost me money before (i'm disabled and he's trying to help
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Doesn't sound like a transmission problem to me. It's possible, but I would get the codes pulled and verify that everything's good with ignition, fuel and air before going to the trans shop. How long since the fuel filter was changed?
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From: Colville, Washington
I would guess a couple years. I will take your advice and have the codes pulled first. Should I go ahead and have him change fuel filter since it has been awhile and an inexpensive item? I considered maybe the fuel filter, but dismissed because van pulls a long hill home everyday ok, but it isn't at those speeds, so maybe isn't demanding as much fuel as I thought. thank you very much...i will post what i find out in a couple days.
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From: Colville, Washington
ok, will do and thank you again. I will get the codes checked, filter changed and post the results asap.
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Check this out. It will cost nothing. Good luck.
Also drive 88 E150 4.9 six that behaved exactly as you describe.
After a long frustrating search found the most rediculous cause. The distributer lock down bolt (1/2 " bolt at base of distributer) had come loose. The distributer moved freely by hand. Amazing the van always started and ran pretty well too. Runs better now that the timing is set and locked down. Saw this same issue reported in another posting.
Setting the timing on both of the I-six motors I have had did not work well when a timing light was used. "Old timers" will tell you that these Fords should be set by ear for best results. That has been my experience.
After a long frustrating search found the most rediculous cause. The distributer lock down bolt (1/2 " bolt at base of distributer) had come loose. The distributer moved freely by hand. Amazing the van always started and ran pretty well too. Runs better now that the timing is set and locked down. Saw this same issue reported in another posting.
Setting the timing on both of the I-six motors I have had did not work well when a timing light was used. "Old timers" will tell you that these Fords should be set by ear for best results. That has been my experience.
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