2.3 low fuel pressure need help

[horsepower]

88 4x4 2.3 key on we have 32lbs at the rail. running 22lbs. new in tank pump, new pump on the rail, new fuel filter, new regulator, sitting I can get 4000 rpms. driving it will not go above 2500. That is 65 mph down hill. What am I missing? I plugged in the code reader and nothing. turn the key on and no engine light either! If I spray starting fluid it will start and stay running but that is the only way it will start! It's starting to give me a headache! The switch under the dash is not popped either...... What next?

 

[horsepower]

one more detail....... the pumps run non stop. they do no build up pressure and stop.

 

[87xlranger]

Leaking Injector... That would be my guess....

 

[scotts90ranger]

when running the pumps are supposed to run all the time, they just pump, the regulator controls the pressure.

and yes, the injectors are the only parts left of the fuel system that could cause the pressure to drop, if they are stuck open then it would run bad

 

[87xlranger]

It can also cause hard starting that your experiencing.

 

[schmoo]

is the pickup screen in the tank new?

 

[horsepower]

the pumps run nonstop with key on power. pickup screen is new as well. If i had a leaking injector wouldn't at least one of the plugs be wet before the truck started? I can try and start this thing for an hour. it will not start without being sprayed with starting fluid. and all the plugs are dry.


How do I test injectors?

 

[mini274]

you have a fuel line pinched/leaking somewhere.. there fore the pump will not stop running before starting.. no pressure or it doin it damndest to try and keep it check the intank pump connections make sure their tight and all the others thats about the only thing it can be if the plugs arent wet even when you crank it.. not enough pressure to get a good mist out of your injectors... long story short double check all your lines

 

[horsepower]

well if its leaking it has to be leaking inside the tank. Non of the lines are pinched or leaking so i guess the tank comes back out.

 

[MIke713]

removing the tank

It might be a whole lot easyer to just remove the bed! A 55 torcs bit and the three 8mm headed screws that hoild the filler neck to the bed side and one electrical connection and you are done
these beds are very light two people can lift it off no probles that way you done have to drain the tank to drop it and all of your connections are right on top . just my two cents I rather do it standing uo than laying on my back .

 

[Kenneth S]

Underneath the drivers side seat on the frame is a in-line high pressure pump, that is probably the culprit (the in-tank pump on a 88 is a low pressure feed pump).

 

[horsepower]

Tank came out tested, works good. no leaks not pinched lines. and still only 32 lbs of pressure. the pumps run non stop with the key on and the motor off.

so to recap.....
new pump in tank
new pump on rail
new regulator
no leaks
no kinked lines
dry plugs
and no start without starting fluid, after it starts with fluid it takes a good 30 seconds for it to run good enough to push the accelerator. Truck will not run over 2500 rpm's and will not go over 60mph on flat ground. I'm beating myself in the head here.....

 

[Bryan22]

the only thing i don't see on your list is a fuel filter... also have you tried running it with the vaccum line off the regulator? new one dosen't mean good one. keep that in mind.

maybe try running it with the gas gap off too. if you're somehow creating a vaccum in the tank, the pump is gonna have a hard time building pressure. a long shot, but anything is possible.

 

[horsepower]

Sorry. The fuel filter was the first thing replaced. Now I also hooked up a code reader and got nothing. As in it doesnt even show its hooked up.... Will this truck run at all if the computer is shot?

 

[Kenneth S]

It won't run with a bad ECM.