I have a '89 Ranger that about a week ago, started to loose power for a few seconds after start-up when you tried to drive off but would get over it and be fine. Tonight, on the way back from a friends, the truck lost power like it did all week before but the difference was that the truck had been running and was warmed up.

It died and would not start. I could smell fuel but I think that I flooded it, popped the hood and the alternator was wet, power steering pump, and the right side of the engine with dirt and fluid. The cap to the power steering was partially off and not as full as it had been and my guess is that it blew from being a little too full. I tasted the fluid and it did not taste like fuel. I got towed back home and its now in the driveway. I cant afford a mechanic, if its simple, I may be able to afford it.

Just the other week, I installed a new fuel pump, the bed was taken off and a custom flat bed was installed but the "deck" has not been installed and was planned to be installed this Sunday (providing the truck can make the trip to my parents). So the whole back end of the truck has been exposed to the rains here on the Oregon Coast and its been storming.

If someone has any ideas, I need them, I need to have the truck running as I need it for work asap.