86 Ranger rich and stalling


Santeeford

15+ Year Member

Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
10
Points
3,101
Vehicle Year
1986
Transmission
Manual
I have an 86 ranger with a 2.9l. It sits alot now but when i do drive it, sometimes it will run super rich and have no power for about 15 seconds then clears up then does it again over and over. Seams to be when engine is warm. Now the other day i took it to the store and was sitting at a stop light and the idle started going up and down from about 800 to 1500 then stalled, It wouldnt restart for a few minutes. While trying to start it, it would sound like it wanted to start barely but wouldnt. Finally got it started and turned back home, Any ideas, im going for about an hour drive this weekend and need it working.
 
Sounds like you may have more than one issue.
I know that these trucks like to act up after sitting.

Pulling codes helps, but if you have trouble with that then . . .

My advice is to change your fuel filter, treat the gas to start.
Check your plug wire terminals and ignition parts.

Hunting for an idle is sometimes attributed to a small vacuum leak, so check your hoses/connections.

Next is sensors, ECT? sensor (water temp not to the gauge) Idle air controller, O2,

If you use the KISS trouble shooting method you can usually reason out a lot of problems quickly.

:beer:

Rich
 
Last edited:
Whats the kiss method?
 
Keep It Simple Silly

:beer:
 
You should post this in the 2.9 engine section, but, rich conditions are common. Most common fixes - Fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it. If it smells like gas, replace it and watch your brake vacuum booster. Grounds - there is one on the passenger side firewall that if broken can cause this. Coolant temp sensor - the one with two wires on the passenger side of the water pump. You can go to fordfuelinjection.com to check it out. Good luck.
 
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