2.3L ('83-'97) Fuel issue...am I on the right track?

[Dunny]

Hi, y'all. Lurked here for awhile and gotten some good advice. Now stumped and wanna make sure I'm on the right track...

'94 2.3 manual with over 200K mi. If engine is cold, truck starts right up. Drives fine for 15 to 20 minutes and then RPMs quickly drop slightly a couple times and it dies. One time, I caught it when it happened and pumped the pedal a couple times and it came back and I kept driving it for another 10 or 15 minutes until I got home.

When it does die, it's unstartable for a couple hours or more. But then starts right up again.

I replaced the fuel filter and it seemed to improve, but then...nope.

I replaced the fuel pump (by myself...fun times haha) and it seemed to run better and smoother than ever...until it died again. I got a kit yesterday and tested fuel pressure with key on. Zero pressure. (I couldn't test with engine running bc it wouldn't start)

I can't hear the pump click on because I'm mostly deaf now.

My friend suggested a mud dauber might have blocked off a vent and the fuel system is building vacuum and when it can't get enough fuel, it dies. Then, after some time, the vacuum is released and runs again. I've never heard of that, but I'm scratching my head at this point.

I'll check the fuel pressure when I try starting it today. Haven't replaced the relay or swapped it. But I thought that would be for an all or nothing issue.

Any thoughts?

 

[2011Supercab]

My friend suggested a mud dauber might have blocked off a vent and the fuel system is building vacuum and when it can't get enough fuel, it dies. Then, after some time, the vacuum is released and runs again. I've never heard of that, but I'm scratching my head at this point.

Easy way to check if it's vacuum problem would be to remove gas cap and drive it.

 

[Blmpkn]

IAC functioning properly?

 

[oldgeek]

Can you get someone to assist you in hearing if the fuel pump engages?

 

[Dunny]

Easy way to check if it's vacuum problem would be to remove gas cap and drive it.

Doh... Great suggestion. But that's a real possibility on these Rangers? That the vents can get blocked?

 

[Dunny]

IAC functioning properly?

I haven't bothered because the idle is pretty steady for a while. It's only after 10+ minutes that it dies. And the IAC wouldn't kill the car while driving (to my limited knowledge). But I'll definitely check.

 

[Dunny]

Can you get someone to assist you in hearing if the fuel pump engages?

Yes.... How would I describe it to them? If I recall, it was only like a click or something after the key turns to ON. Is that close?

 

[Jazzer]

It’s a two or three second humming noise.

 

[Dunny]

Yes.... How would I describe it to them? If I recall, it was only like a click or something after the key turns to ON. Is that close?

My daughter said she can hear a click under the hood and a click under the bed (where the pump is). She said she didn't hear any humming or noise other than a click "or two" at the engine and "one click" under the bed.

I'm pulling the relay and swapping it for the A/C

 

[Dunny]

Ok, I swapped the relay and it turned on instantly. Sigh.

I connected the fuel pressure gauge, but it shows zero pressure even when engine is running. I tightened the adaptor down more on the fuel valve but gasoline leaks out and the pin in the middle of the valve sticks up more and more. Maybe a bad o-ring?

I'm going to let it idle for while and see if it dies.

 

[Dunny]

Truck idled for 25 minutes. Didn't die. Much smoother idle, btw. Which makes sense.

I'm not an electrical-minded guy so I should have checked the relay a long time ago because it's cheap and easy to replace. Live and learn.

We'll see how it does in some real driving later. It's been 97°F here and now Lenni's non-working A/C is VERY obvious, so that's the next project (and yes, I replaced the A/C and EEC relay switch just now, too. )

 

[Dunny]

IAC functioning properly?

And you were actually on the right track bc even though I didn't check the IAC yet, the relay did help with the idle smoothness. Thanks!

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