Hello All -

I have an 89 manual 2.9 L with about 180K

Just picked it up a little while ago, and when I bought it, the seller told me
"It has not been running that much so I had to put a little 2 cycle oil in the gas to get the valves and injectors lubricated.....so it may feel like it wants to die on you after running hwy speeds for a while, but dont panic, just pull over and let it sit for a little and try again. It just needs to be ran..."

Thought that was a little weird, but whatever, I got a good deal.
so I have put 200 miles on it with no running /starting problems at all. also put some lucas injector cleaner / lubricator in that first tank.

Then today, I fill her up.

I get the freeway, and sure enough i am stuttering on the high end. It will not go over 65. I slow down, and downshift, then the same thing at the top end of 4th gear......run for a while, slow down, same thing in the top half of 3rd. this truck wanted to go no faster.

So I sat on the side of the freeway with it off for about 5 min....then I was able to accelerate up to 65 again, but could feel it would stutter if I gave it too much gas.....same thing in 4th after about 5 min ect.

So I pull into a gas station and get a big ol bottle of prestone fuel injector cleaner / water remover and dump it in after letting it sit another 5 min.

Long story short, I was able to get home at 65, but could tell it would stutter if I pushed it. and after I got off the freeway, same thing in 4th and 3rd, stutter if pushed.

Here is my questions.....

anyone have similar problems?
should I keep putting some 2cyl oil in the gas until I get a few more tanks thru her?
should I keep running the lucas injector cleaner for a few more tanks?

could the 2cyl oil have clogged the injectors? could this be a valve problem?


I really like this truck.............. I dont want to part it out!!!!!!

 

I had a similar problem once. After poking around under the hood, I noticed that the distributor was loose. The hold down bolt had come loose. After setting the abse timing and tightening the distributor down, it ran fine.

I've also had similar symptoms when my TFI module would act up (though it would usually slow down and eventually stall until the distributor cooled off).

I could also see it being any number of other things. I would also suggest pulling codes and checking fuel pressure -- just as basic diagnostics.

 

Thanks Mr. Shorty - I would pull codes, except I dont have a check engine light on (or a code reader)


The problem actually seemed to go away after sitting in the garage for a day or so.

Then I took it to work today and it happened again (this time even worse)

So, I was planning on changing the fuel filter anyway - so I did that first.
(I just love getting gas sprayed in my face, and it had been a while)

a couple things I noticed on this change
(I have only done three other ones, on 99 and newer vehicles, but never noticed these things before)

first, as soon as I pulled the relay with the truck running, in about 2 seconds she quit.

this is concerning, because I have never had the cyphon break that fast -

Then, after getting the fuel filter replaced, it was VERY hard to start.
I have had this thing for only about 2 weeks, but no starting issues so far.

Had to actually try about 4 starts, and finially she turned over.

do you think the fuel pump might be going also?

the seller stated that he put a new one in, but the gas gauge still doesnt work.....so why would you replace the fuel pump and not the sending module?

any thoughts?

 

CEl doesn't need to be on to pull codes. If the computer doesn't see any faults, it will give you 11 pass codes. On an '89, a paper clip or piece of baling wire from the side of the road is sufficient to pull codes (the CEL flash the codes). Search "Ford EEC-IV self-test" in your favorite search engine.

Nothing you've said makes me think the pump is weak, but the first thing I'd do if I suspected such a thing would be to put a fuel pressure gauge on it and see.

 

> do you think the fuel pump might be going also?

No, you have to cycle the key on/off 3-4 times to build pressure in the fuel system.

> so why would you replace the fuel pump and not the sending module?

High pressure pump on the fuel rail under the driver's seat. Low pressure pump with sending unit in the gas tank.

> any thoughts?

I think your TFI module is bad, when they start to fail they either throw a bunch of codes or just start to die at high RPMs before they die without warning one day.

 

Hey guys thanks for all the expertise and advise.

Unfortunately, I am a bit of a novice and do not have many of the tools I need. (XMAS is coming....) no timing light - fuel pres gauge....
Cant even FIND the TFI - otherwise I would try that.....

so looks like im gonna have to just take her and in on monday and get raped.



Ill let you know what it is when I find out. thanks again

 

F it -

local auto parts store has the off brand ignition module for 34 bucks....

Im just gonna pick it up and give it a whirl tonight.


now......best way to get that puppy out??????

 

OK, got the TFI ignition module out and replaced it.

Also did the Rotor and cap while I was back there.

Plugs / PCV valve and fuel filter are all new also.


Still stutters at about 2500 rpm on the freeway at 65mph....and then I have to downshift and same thing at about the same RPM at 55 and so on until I pull over and let it sit for 10 min.

any other suggestions?

I need to take it in to test fuel pressure and timing, as I dont have a timing light or fuel pressure gauge.

anything else I might be able to check prior to dishin out the cash?

 

Just a question. Didn't they start putting a single pump in the tank in 89?


Also if it has the high pressure fuel pump on the rail and a low pressure pump in the tank there may be two fuel filters. One is on the rail in front of the pump towards the engine. The other would be behind the pump towards the fuel tank. It would be located in a big plastic canister on the rail. But I was thinking they didn't put those on an 89.

 

Another thing you might check is the fuel regulator. After the engine has been running for a bit. Shut the engine off and pull the vacum line from the regulator. If it has fuel in the vacum line your Fuel regulator is bad.

 

Yeah, just the one filter it looks like...... I dont see a pump on the rail.


Ill check the regulator - where does that vac line go to / from ?

 

OK, i let it idle for about five minutes, then started pulling vac lines.

I found about 3 on the top of the upper manifold, drivers side, and one on the upper manifold passenger side.

None of them had any gas in it.


however, while she was idling i did notice a somewhat high pitched noise coming from the tank (fuel pump?) I am afraid it might be. Like i said earlier i cant test it, dont have a fuel pres gauge.....

so unless I can think of something else....shes going in the shop on monday....

thanks again for you all tryin to help me out on this one...

 

Ok, it was the fuel pump

put a new one, sending unit and new tank


seems to work fine now!!!!


also, my fuel gauge works again bonus

 

Sweet! Glad you found the problem.