351 Windsor trouble

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Jan 27, 2009 | 09:34 PM

jersmith

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351 Windsor trouble

1985 F-150 351W 2brl. with 99,500
I've had the truck for about 2 yrs now and have had no trouble, the guy I bought it from babied the &^%$ out of it. About a week ago I had a bit of trouble starting it, figured it was the battery and had it jumped, no problem... but when I got home and shut it off, it kind of died, then sounded/felt like it was restarting on its own. The only way I can describe it is, shut it off... bucks a little... then dies. It also has sort of a rough start, and is idling at about 1450rpm, which is about 500 more than normal. Any ideas?

Jan 27, 2009 | 10:47 PM

fellro86

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From: Marengo, Iowa

Sounds like perhaps a vacuum leak. That would explain the high idle, may also cause the dieseling you are experiencing. It can make it tougher to get to start as well.

Jan 28, 2009 | 10:12 AM

Franklin2

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The high idle is causing the "wanting to keep running"

Jan 28, 2009 | 11:29 PM

jersmith

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Thanks guys, I'm gonna pop the hood in the morning and see if I can't locate the leak. I've heard that spraying break cleaner can help locate the problem since it will make the idle jump up. Any other ideas?

I appreciate the help fellas.

Jan 29, 2009 | 08:22 AM

bashby

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From: Charles Town, W bygod Va

A vaccum leak will cause a low idle on a carbed engine. Check to see if the choke is opening all the way, It's probably stuck on fast idle. Carb cleaner is better than brakeclener

Jan 29, 2009 | 12:34 PM

jersmith

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I had taken it to my mechanic when I bought it 2 years ago, he said there was something up with the choke cable, so he put it in a permanent position. When I went to pick it up he said it would be best to just not ever mess with the choke... which I haven't in 2 years, so I'm not sure if that would be the problem... but it could be.

BTW, I took it out today for about 25 minutes just to see how it was reacting, and I noticed that when I pulled out into traffic I had almost no power in 3rd gear unless I stayed on the gas, it eventually gave power. I also noticed that when I got home and shut it off it didn't buck at all, although the idle is still at around 1500.

Another thing, not sure if this is relevant, but I noted that after 25 minutes of driving my thermostat showed absolutely no heat whatsoever.

Starting to think the best thing would be to take it in and take the hit in the wallet.