I have an 89 with 5.8 with 88,000 miles that suddenly started acting up on me one morning and gradually got worse. It has idled poorly since I bought it, idling at only about 750 rpms. I stopped for gas on way home one day, parked the truck and next time I tried to start it the problems began. It would not idle and when given more throttle it would surge and rpms would fluctuate at steady throttle pressure. Eventually it would run fairly well after several attempts at starting and got better as it warmed up. I drove it a couple of times after that with the same start up problem so I put gas it the rear tank and switched over, thinking I had some bad gas. Problem continued and got worse. Changed fuel filter (gas inside it was dirty) but did not help. Now will only start when I pump the throttle and keep pumping it. It huffs and puffs and quits. Won't run at all. I can hear fuel pump run and pressure release valve squirts gas so fuel is getting to the injectors. I also checked the air filter and a lot of oil is getting into it but truck does not burn oil. Any ideas? Could it be clogged injectors? Pressure regulator?

 

I would start by checking the codes. When is the last time it got a tuneup? Plugs, cap, rotor, wires, filters, etc.

If oil is getting into the air filter, I'd also replace the PCV.

Just because you have fuel in the rail doesn't mean it's at the right pressure. You have to check it with a fuel pressure gauge to be sure.

 

Tune up including pcv valve less than 2,000 miles ago. I'll check valve to make sure it is functioning properly. I have a new pressure regulator laying around somewhere, I'll try to find and install. Don't have code reader and plan to sell truck so don't want to buy one.

 

checking codes is free. www.fordfuelinjection.com shows you how and takes 10mins.

check fuel pressure at the rail

 

89 with 88k miles...sure it isn't 188k...just pondering

 

pull those codes, and we can decode them, see whats up with it

 

Carfax said mileage was correct, but who knows. Condition of interior would indicate it may be correct, very little wear. Looks like it was used as a beach buggy because undercarriage is corroded beyond belief. Ran very strong when it did run and did not use any oil.

 

Drew, I will pull codes when weather cools off a little. Too hot in cab right now. Only connection I have to make is to ground the STI?

 

Don't the code readers for these only run about $30?

 

the little cheap ones like that do the same exact thing as the check engine light, they blink or beep out the codes and you have to count them

 

A free paper clip (wire) is free and works much better then a code reader.

 

Ok, I couldn't stand the suspense so I braved the heat. Here are the codes:14,29,33,41,53,87. Code 87 is fuel pump primary circuit. I can hear the pump when key is turned on. Is there a wiring problem that cuts it out or is the pump going bad? There is fuel at the pressure relief valve. Any thoughts? Thanks to all for advice.

 

pressure at the valve, but how much?

 

The only two codes that are KOEO are the 53 and 87.
I would guess that you have a bad EEC.

53 = TPS above 4.5 volts.
87 = Fuel Pump Relay did not close.

But I would check the small black wire with a green (sometimes white) stripe coming off the NEG (-) post of the battery and make sure it is good first.
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