'89 Sputters and dies on start-up

[EastVanDamager]

(Sorry if this is long, just trying to give as much info as I can)

First off, some background info: Truck has about 260,000 KM on it. I've had it for a little over 2 years and about 30k. I think it had decent care taken of it before I got it (previous owner had a bunch of receipts) but I guess you can never really be sure. Took it to a mechanic a couple times when I first got it, try to change the oil (somewhat)regularly, runs pretty good. It has the tick, but not too bad, Basically, it's a 20+ year old truck.

Anyway, a couple weeks back the truck started hesitating/bogging a bit under load in the higher gears/at higher speeds. I'm used to this thing not having much power, so I didn't worry too much. I figured it was the fuel filter starting to clog. I changed the filter on Sept 3, and threw some STP injector cleaner in with my next fill-up (figured it couldn't hurt).

The bogging/hesitation didn't go away, in fact it seemed to get a bit worse. Again, it seemed to be higher gears, higher speeds and under load, but it started doing it more often and more easily. I think it was worse when the truck was warm, but that might be because I didn't really get on it too hard right after start-up. I thought maybe there was just more crud in my fuel system and hoped it might work its way through.

Then, I was driving it around this past Sunday doing some errands. It was fine until I was almost home and it started sputtering really badly and died a block form my place. It still fires up, but sputters for a few seconds and dies. Giving it gas doesn't really help either. I've been thinking 'fuel system' all along, so I assumed it was the fuel pump, but when I disconnected the fuel line at the filter (I tried disconnecting the line near the fuel rail, but my crappy plastic disconnect tool wouldn't separate the line, and yes, I definitely installed the new filter the right way) and cranked the engine, it spat a bunch of fuel out, so the pump seems unlikely, unless it's pumping but not giving enough pressure. Speaking of pressure, I should mention another thing: when I bled off the fuel pressure (the Shrader valve on the fuel rail, right?) to change the filter and again to check the pump, it didn't spit out much, if any fuel. After some of the reading I had done I was expecting to be blinded by gas, but nothing. Even when I disconnected to filter a second time without bleeding off any pressure, it spat out a bunch of gas but didn't seem to be under too much pressure. I may be reading too much into this last bit, but I want to give as much info as I can.

I did some looking around the forum and I'm starting to think it might be ignition. I'm thinking it could be my coil or module. I'm sure it's also time to change plugs, wires, etc. but that stuff shouldn't cause it to just die, right ?

I'm an ok wrench, but not the most knowledgeable at diagnosing, so I figured I'd ask on here before getting to deep into trying to find the problem (I seem to have a special talent for making simple jobs harder than they need to be). Any ideas? Fuel pressure, coil, module, sensor, other ?

Thanks muchly

 

[cocoasranger]

On my 89 2.9l Ranger, I have two pumps; a transfer pump in the tank, and a high pressure pump on the frame rail. Also there are two fuel filters. All this is factory.
I have heard that the transfer pump can partially or fully fail and the truck still runs, but with problems.

I would first check for the fuel pressure reading at the fuel rail valve (I think it's something like 40 psi).

 

[freedom5]

I have had some of the same type problems over the years. Some have been mechanical but several have been caused by clogged injectors and other fuel problems. Contrary to some of the members, I believe using gasoline with ethanol causes the injectors to clog up. It sometimes takes several fill ups with a fuel system cleaner added to get it running smoothe again. Ethanol is not recommended for older engines but its difficult to find gas without it. Ethanol is made from grain and contains celulose which causes a build up in the fuel system.I add a can of cleaner about every three fill ups.

 

[mendozamm]

I had similiar problems. Check fuel. Check tfi,coil,and what caused mine to die was the pick up coil. The tech section has tons of info on all these. Thats how i figured out what was wrong on mine. All you need is basic tools and a multimeter

 

[EastVanDamager]

Thanks for the replies. I threw a fuel gauge on the fuel rail and was getting around 35-36 psi (well, the needle was jumping around because the motor was stumbling and sputtering, but it spiked at around 35-36 at around 1000 rpm). So I'm pretty sure my issue isn't fuel unless my injectors are plugged as freedom5 mentioned (and I had considered but really hope it's not). Also, to cocoasranger, apparently some '89s had two fuel pumps and filters, and some had one or each, depending on the build date. Mine has one of each.

I didn't have anyone around to help me check for spark off the bat, but when I pulled of my cap and rotor the terminals were pretty bad so I replaced them, as well as the plug wires.

The thing still won't run. However, unlike before when it would sputter and rev for a few seconds and die, it fires (sounds better) for a second and dies without every really running on it's own. I had a buddy this time around, so I checked for spark and it's there. A couple people have told me it could be timing. I'm also wondering if my coil is bad and giving just enough power to show spark but not enough to run the engine. Make sense or BS ? Again it could be the injectors. Pulled one plug; it was pretty sooty and I'm sure they could all stand to be replaced, but it showed spark too.

After replacing the ignition parts and having no luck starting it, I considered that maybe I had flooded the cylinders over a couple days of not having good spark. So I disconnected the fuel line and had my buddy crank the thing over a bunch of times to try and 'empty' out any extra gas from the motor. Reconnected the line and it still didn't start.

Gonna go try the timing, and failing that I'm going to bring the coil into work tomorrow and check the resistance on it (and keep hoping it's not my injectors). Once again, thanks for the replies.