1988 Ranger V6 2.9L Engine dying

[jon.tetlie]

A little over a year ago, I purchased this 1988 V6 2.9L ranger with 119,000 miles. It had been sitting for 10 years without running so there were a few parts that I replaced (water pump, spark plugs, distributer, starter, high pressure fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter).

It has never liked to be turned on and off multiple times in a short time span (when running on low rpm it will suddenly drop and the engine will die) however it typically has done well on the highway or any time that I am accelerating.

The other day, I tried to turn it on, the engine turned over, and then immediately died. I tried again and tried to give it a little gas to keep it running, but it still killed itself.

I am not sure what the problem is, but am thinking that it could potentially be the low pressure fuel pump in the gas tank (that part was never replaced)? Unfortunately my new apartment complex does not allow for residents to do auto work in their parking lot so I am probably going to have to have it towed to an auto repair store to have any diagnostic work or repair done.

My questions are, has this happened to others before and do you know what it could be? Is this problem worth looking more into or is it a lost cause?

Thanks!

 

[telsar]

Yes, check the fuel pressure and confirm the fuel pump or filter.

Check the idle air control valve (IAC) make sure its clean and functioning properly.

Check your EGR valve (if it has one) to make sure its not leaking, stuck open, broken.


Pull your codes and see if you have any. Look at youtube to learn how to pull codes with Key on and engine off, and also, key on engine running. You need a paper clip or jumper wire and can watch the check engine light to get the codes.

Good luck.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Fuel injectors
If it sat for that long the fuel injectors will have varnish left from evaporated gasoline.
Best to plan on swapping them out
You could try running Seafoam or other injector cleaner, in the gas tank and go for a few long drives, hour minimum, and see if it helps.

Fuel injectors need to spray out fuel to get a good mix with the air, if injectors are slightly clogged and/or tips are dirty the fuel drips out, causing a poor mix for startup and idle, while RPMs are higher the air flow is faster and more fuel is being added so engine can run OK, but as soon as RPMs go down so does air flow and the amount of fuel, and thats when you notice the problem.

depending on where you live you can often find local shops that rebuild injectors, $20-$25 each, and it is an exchange, so you bring in your old ones and get rebuilt the same trip.

And as the vehicle sat the fuel rail(feeds the injectors gasoline) and fuel lines would also have that same varnish from evaporated gasoline, and some of it may be coming off/out.
Each injector has a mini-filter, and that debris from the fuel rail/fuel line maybe clogging up the injectors as well, which is why it is now even harder to start up and keep running

To get it running now try adding fuel manually to the intake, remove larger air tube from intake, open throttle and spray in Quick Start(ether) or Gasoline from a spray bottle
If it still doesn't start then you have a spark issue not fuel issue.

 

[jon.tetlie]

Thank you both for the input! I am going to look into you suggestions and hope for the best!