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Powerless B3000


98greenmachine

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Hey guys, having an issue with my 98 B3000, won't get over 65 on interstate and any sort of hill she drops speed fast, just started a few days ago. 4wd light blinks on and off, and my top radiator hose collapses in while the truck is running, I'm thinking vacuum leak for the power, but not sure about 4wd light and radiator hose? Any insights?

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98greenmachine

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Rearanger said:
How does it idle?



You're getting negative pressure in the cooling system. Bad rad cap and/or blocked overflow tube to reservoir. Checked for leaks?
Click to expand...
It idles around 2000 rpm after it warms up if I let it sit it'll go down to 1000 eventually

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RonD

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You have a major vacuum leak, check PCV Valve hoses or power booster hose

Warm idle should be 650-700 for manual trans, 750-800 for auto

You should also have a CEL(check engine light).
Does your CEL work?
It should turn on with the key and then go off after engine starts.

If it doesn't then bulb is burned out or disabled, you need to stop by an auto parts store and get the codes from the computer, it is free, regardless of CEL on or off or not working.
You MUST HAVE a pen and paper with you and WRITE DOWN ALL the code numbers, DO NOT buy any parts for these codes at that time, that is not what codes are for.
A code CAN NOT identify a bad part.

Post codes here.

Flashing 4WD light could just mean a fuse is blown, or 4WD module connection is loose, but not related to power issue.

Cold engine
Remove rad cap
Check coolant level
Top it up if needed
Start engine with rad cap off
Some coolant may spill out of open cap but that should stop in a few seconds
Let it idle, if coolant continues to bubble out then you have a blown head gasket

Search this forum for Glove Test
This would confirm if head gasket is bad or not.

And yes collapsing upper hose could just be Rad cap issue or blocked overflow hose or overflow tank's connection to that hose, debris in bottom of this tank blocks coolant back to rad.
Is engine running warmer than usual?
 
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98greenmachine

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No codes, I work at a parts store so I've already tried to run codes,

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98greenmachine

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Is there another way to find a vac leak other than eather? I know of the smoke test but don't want to pay a mechanic unless its my last resort. Temp seems normal to where it should be.

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RonD

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Is the coder reader able to connect to the computer?
You should have some codes even if they are not current codes on a '98.
Mentioning this because you could have a computer issue not a vacuum leak.
That would account for lack of power, high idle and flashing 4WD lights.

I would unplug the MAF sensor and start engine, you should get a CEL fairly fast, MAF is a main sensor, just to see if computer and CEL are working as they should.

For vacuum leaks, first you eliminate any leaking hoses by unplugging each hose, one at a time, with engine idling, and plugging that intake port with your finger, if RPMs change then that hose or it's vacuum device is leaking.

After checking all hoses, wait for engine to be stone cold.

You can use ether(quick start) or soapy water in a spray bottle, set it for tight spray pattern

Loosen fan belt and remove it from Crank pulley, so no fan or accessories will be spinning with engine running.
Start COLD engine, it can run fine without water pump for 2 minutes, but will only take a minute to test for leaks.

Spray around lower intake first, by valve covers, listening for change in RPMs
Then move up to upper intake and throttle body
 
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