'87 Ranger Help!


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sh4rky514

5+ Year Member

Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
9
Points
501
Vehicle Year
1987
Transmission
Manual
Hey guys,

I have a '87 Ranger 2.9L manual. I have recently been having an issue with what seems to be the fuel system, but and unsure and want some other feedback before I invest in the wrong thing.

So here we go, in the past I have had an issue where after the car runs on a hot day, the engine would seem to surge and buck/lose power when idling. Recently, it has been happening multiple time a week and sometimes more then once in a day.

When I come up to a light and the car is idling, it will began to surge the engine and drop RPMs and seem to rattle. If I push the accelerator, nothing happens, and I can put it all the way to the floor and nothing happens. It almost feels as if there is a pressure preventing the fuel from reaching the engine. The car will then after idling low, choke/cut itself out and will not start afterwards. After waiting a few minutes, it will finally turn back over (sometimes turning over with very high RPMs). I have also noticed the exhaust smelling much stronger recently and the area around the tailpipe on the body is black.

I am thinking about replacing the inline and intank fuel pumps, but want to get another opinion on what it could possibly be.

I have replaced abunch of parts on the car in the past including:
Idle-Control, TPS, PCV valve, complete coolant flush, thermostat, fuel filter, spark plugs, distributor (and corrected timing).

Open to any suggestions and opinions!
 
Suggestion: Always test things before replacing them. Buy a factory service manual (eBay is a good source) and follow the test procedures therein. There are tests specifically for the fuel pumps.

The amount you spend on a service manual will quickly be recovered​ in not buying parts that don't need replaced.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
 
Mine did a lot of this before I replaced the fuel pump. I ran it for awhile with the fuel pressure gauge connected to convince myself it was the pump.
Whenever it would start running wonky I would pull over, pop the hood, and look at the pressure. I found when it was running bad the fuel pressure was at 12 - 15 PSI. Replaced the pump and no more problems.
 
Mine did a lot of this before I replaced the fuel pump. I ran it for awhile with the fuel pressure gauge connected to convince myself it was the pump.
Whenever it would start running wonky I would pull over, pop the hood, and look at the pressure. I found when it was running bad the fuel pressure was at 12 - 15 PSI. Replaced the pump and no more problems.
Which pump did you replace, the in tank or inline or both?
 
I did the pump in the tank, I believe the 89 only has 1 pump.
 

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