sputtering, coughing, dying, idles fine....
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 537
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From: Graves County, KY
sputtering, coughing, dying, idles fine....
'77 F150 302 c4
I'm trying to figure out if this is a spark, fuel, choke, vacuum, or timing problem. This just started in the last week.
The truck starts fine and will idle well until I touch the gas. After that, it will idle rough and want to die. If I feather it for a while it will start to idle fine as it warms up.
Once I put it in drive or reverse, it wants to die. Sputters, misses, feels like only 4 cylinders are hitting.
If I put it back in neutral it runs fine.
The dist cap, rotor, plugs and wires are about 9 months old. Could it have jumped time? Is the coil getting weak? Is the choke sticking?
HELP!
I'm trying to figure out if this is a spark, fuel, choke, vacuum, or timing problem. This just started in the last week.
The truck starts fine and will idle well until I touch the gas. After that, it will idle rough and want to die. If I feather it for a while it will start to idle fine as it warms up.
Once I put it in drive or reverse, it wants to die. Sputters, misses, feels like only 4 cylinders are hitting.
If I put it back in neutral it runs fine.The dist cap, rotor, plugs and wires are about 9 months old. Could it have jumped time? Is the coil getting weak? Is the choke sticking?
HELP!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Could be the choke is not opening fully when the engine has warmed up. Could be a plugged fuel filter or cracked fuel line. Check all vacuum hose and lines for cracks or loose connections. Check the color of spark with the coil wire removed at distributor and crank over the engine, if spark is blue coil is good, otherwise replace coil. Check the four nuts holding down the carb, tighten the carb down.
-Buck-
-Buck-
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Graves County, KY
Choke seems to be opening fine. Checked all vacuum hoses OK. Coil is good.
I think I may be in need of a carb rebuild/replace. Plugs are black, it's running SUPER rich and I cant seem to lean it out enough. I'm going to have someone else try to adjust the carb since I'm not so experienced. Maybe I'm overlooking something?
I think I may be in need of a carb rebuild/replace. Plugs are black, it's running SUPER rich and I cant seem to lean it out enough. I'm going to have someone else try to adjust the carb since I'm not so experienced. Maybe I'm overlooking something?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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I know this sounds strange, but I had the same exact problem a couple of years ago. I replaced the fuel filter and worked for a bit...then same again. Left me on the side of the highway a couple of times...had wife bring fuel filters.
Come to find out, the fuel pump bolts had vibrated out and the fuel pump was not secure. So, when I replace fuel filter, messing with the line forced it back in a bit and then it would come back out after driving.
Check the fuel pump. Just takes a second.
Others have answered the obvious points, so this is an obscure one.
Come to find out, the fuel pump bolts had vibrated out and the fuel pump was not secure. So, when I replace fuel filter, messing with the line forced it back in a bit and then it would come back out after driving.
Check the fuel pump. Just takes a second.
Others have answered the obvious points, so this is an obscure one.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Graves County, KY
just an update guys...
I really thought I had it. I adjusted the choke, checked the fuel filter, adjusted the idle mixture, got the idle speeds set just so, checked the bolts on the fuel pump and they were good. It ran great yesterday and this morning, then this afternoon it started doing it again (in bumper to bumper traffic...joy).
It was cold and raining this afternoon and that's the only difference I can see. The truck seems to idle fine, but as soon as there's any load on the engine it starts missing.
I'm going to go ahead and change the spark plugs since they're so blackened (and cheap). Maybe it's carbon buildup.
I'll keep you updated.
I really thought I had it. I adjusted the choke, checked the fuel filter, adjusted the idle mixture, got the idle speeds set just so, checked the bolts on the fuel pump and they were good. It ran great yesterday and this morning, then this afternoon it started doing it again (in bumper to bumper traffic...joy).
It was cold and raining this afternoon and that's the only difference I can see. The truck seems to idle fine, but as soon as there's any load on the engine it starts missing.
I'm going to go ahead and change the spark plugs since they're so blackened (and cheap). Maybe it's carbon buildup.
I'll keep you updated.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Replacing the spark plugs will help. Seems like a fuel related problem. How dirty was the old filter? Remove the new filter and check how dirty it has gotten, Make sure the arrow on filter is pointing in the direction of the Carburator. When you have the gas filter removed (place the end of the gas hose in an empty coca cola bottle) and remove the gas cap and blow air into the tank (check for restrictions).
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 537
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From: Graves County, KY
ok, so on a whim I changed out the one week old fuel filter and it fixed the problems. It looked fine, not brown or rusty at all. This is a clear plastic filter.
Now the question: Was the (advance auto) fuel filter bad out of the box, or is my tank full of crud? Guess I'll have to keep an eye on it.
Thanks guys.
Now the question: Was the (advance auto) fuel filter bad out of the box, or is my tank full of crud? Guess I'll have to keep an eye on it.
Thanks guys.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
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It seems the gas tank has some debri and the filter on the float assembly within the gas tank should be inspected and might need replacing. When you drop the tank, replace the fuel lines going to the gasoline tank. Does your truck have dual tanks?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Graves County, KY
Nope just a single inboard tank. Sounds like a good weekend project.
Well if it aint one thing it's another. Dead battery this morning. Didn't have time to check anything. Hopefully I just left the lights on. jeez!
Well if it aint one thing it's another. Dead battery this morning. Didn't have time to check anything. Hopefully I just left the lights on. jeez!
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 537
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From: Graves County, KY
Well crap.
I haven't had the chance to drop the tank out yet, actually I was being hopeful. It's ran great for almost 2 weeks. Yesterday it started again. I changed the fuel filter again and made no difference. Looks like I'll be checking the whole fuel system this weekend if it doesn't snow (which is the forecast). There's got to be crap in the line, carb or tank somewhere.
I haven't had the chance to drop the tank out yet, actually I was being hopeful. It's ran great for almost 2 weeks. Yesterday it started again. I changed the fuel filter again and made no difference. Looks like I'll be checking the whole fuel system this weekend if it doesn't snow (which is the forecast). There's got to be crap in the line, carb or tank somewhere.
