2.3L ('83-'97) 95 2.3 standard fuel pressure problem

[Dav]

truck has a power loss. kind of like out of gas but only for a second. tank is full. fuel pressure test shows 10psi when i turn the key on, got to 15psi when running. tested gauge on '88 2.9; 10 psi with key on, 38-40psi when running. retest '95; 10psi key on and running. at idle truck runs fine, problem only under load. replaced fuel pump 2 or 3 years ago. regulator or fuel pump?

 

[scotts90ranger]

Pull the vacuum line on the regulator, for one there should be no gas in that hose, for two that will raise the fuel pressure to I think 30 or 33psi or whatever when running.

If there's gas in that vacuum hose the regulator is bad. The regulator is on the outlet of the fuel rail so unless it has something stuck in it and it is open then that would be a bad regulator.

 

[Dav]

i removed the vacuum line from the intake to the regulator. no gas in it. pressure goes up to 33 psi. i have to keep my thumb on the intake nipple or it stumbles a bit before smoothing out a bit. so i'm not sure if anything is eliminated yet. this is a high mileage motor, about 400k. it starts fine, except for that damn inertia safety switch which is a pita. it has been popping a bit thru the exhaust but not what you'd call back firing.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It sure sounds like the regulator is allowing the fuel system to build proper pressure.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, doesn't sound like a fuel pressure problem. It's either a connection or something. Any trouble codes for anything?

Doesn't sound like a compression problem but might not hurt to check.

 

[Dav]

i will check compression tomorrow; good way to get out of mowing the lawn! re codes; i know they exist but have no idea how to get them. i bought a code reader to use on my '88 and it baffled me so i took it to o'reilly's. the woman who was a whiz at using the code reader had quit and none of the guys had a clue. i have wondered about contaminated fuel but the other truck is running fine- same gas stop.

 

[Uncle Gump]

i will check compression tomorrow; good way to get out of mowing the lawn! re codes; i know they exist but have no idea how to get them. i bought a code reader to use on my '88 and it baffled me so i took it to o'reilly's. the woman who was a whiz at using the code reader had quit and none of the guys had a clue. i have wondered about contaminated fuel but the other truck is running fine- same gas stop.

I should have clarified my previous post.

If you only have 10 psi at idle that is far too low.

I said with vacuum line disconnected... it builds proper pressure. So that tells me the pump is OK. But if your regulator will only provide 10psi at idle... the regulator is bad. It should be closer to 30psi at idle.

 

[Dav]

i will go back to o'reilly tomorrow and recheck in their lot but...i took it for a test run. going great until i got a strong gas smell. opened the hood; the schrader valve was leaking a bit. changed it with parts motor valve. not leaking now. whether that was the problem all along or if i somehow knackered the valve while testing pressure i don't know.

 

[Dav]

looks like i knackered the valve to test the fuel pressure. another test run and it was still giving me problems. put a new fuel pump in it yesterday. test run seems ok. my budget will only buy cheap fuel pumps and they only go out when i'm short on cash. Ford put a pump in when they made the truck that lasted about 22 years; the cheap ones last 2 or 3. but the Ford pump was around $375 iirc

 

[Uncle Gump]

Sometimes it better to buy once... cry once.

All these parts now days are a crapshoot.

 

[Dav]

U G, i do agree with you. but the damn thing only craps out when i am damn near broke. i keep saying 'next time..' but i'm broke again next time. and the new pump didn't fix the problem. in the morning i am going to the napa to have them do that code reader thing. then i am going to advance auto, then autozone then o'reilly's. 4 stores on the same side of the road and within a half mile. hate spending money on a truck i want to get rid of but i need it to tow it's replacement home.

 

[Dav]

i went to the 4 stores mentioned above.
Napa: no code reader
Autozone: no codes showing, try chemicals
Advancedauto: no codes, no clue.
O'reilly: no codes, suggested a local shop w/ better tech equipment.