HEPL PLEaSE I'm going crazy!!!

[SAMSONIAN]

hey everyone , i have a 86 ranger 2.9 that has this skip. i have replaced just about everything i can think of and it still does it. strange thing is , its like it does it on a timer. it runs great until i turn it off and turn it back on and about a min. into the drive it starts skipping or loading up, then clears out and will run fine until i cut it off and restart then here it comes again. any ideas? it has new dist. with module, new computer , egr working , new plugs , cap , rotor , wires , base timing set with spout out , advance seems to work. new egr , coolant sensor...... i'm stumped

 

[adsm08]

Try running with the oxygen sensor unplugged.

 

[RANGER760]

possible fuel leak. try turning the key to the on position a few times to pump the fuel to the motor. if it stops skippin when you run it, its a fuel leak, and theres a bit of air in the system.

 

[SAMSONIAN]

ok , i unhooked the o2 sensor and it ran a little more sluggish and the skip did happen again after i turned it off and then cranked it , happens about a min into the drive. strange. i have replaced the tank pump , it was bad.

 

[RANGER760]

How bout the check engine light, did you run the codes?

 

[SAMSONIAN]

i've only checked the codes while the engine is not running and it had a TPS code so i change it. as of now there are no codes. i just recently found out you can check codes while the engine is running but i haven't done it yet.

 

[RANGER760]

Yea I would say try that then replace the fuel line/inline filter seein' how it's 26 years old if it's stock. Might have a crack where air is gettin' in.

 

[SAMSONIAN]

ok , i'll mess with it again tomorrow , never thought about air getting in. i have changed the inline filter. i wish i had a fuel gauge hooked up somehow to see if the pressure is dropping when it starts skipping

 

[shane96ranger]

Might have a crack where air is gettin' in.

It would be more likely fuel would come out of a crack, rather than air going in.

Now, with the obvious question. Are you sure you aren't off a tooth on the distributor? Also, have you done a fuel pressure test yet?

 

[RANGER760]

It would be more likely fuel would come out of a crack, rather than air going in.

True, however, after the fuel leaks out, it is replaced by air.

 

[SAMSONIAN]

no fuel leaking anywhere, the truck was doing the same thing before i installed the rebuilt distributor. i found TDC on comp.stroke and i aligned the rotor with number one. All the things i have done has made it run better but just cant get rid of this strange skip. when i cut it off and cut it back on and just leave it idling in the drive way it doesn't happen. but when i go for a drive, cut it of then back on and go for a drive again it starts happening about about the time it hits OD. more noticeable if crusing slow rather than full throttle.

 

[RANGER760]

I had this same exact problem with my crown vic a few years back and it was corroded plug wires.

 

[shane96ranger]

True, however, after the fuel leaks out, it is replaced by air.

Mostly my point is...... or at least to me, it would be obvious if my truck was leaking fuel.

 

[RANGER760]

Yea, I hear ya. It's either spark or fuel

 

[RANGER760]

Try starting it at night and check under the hood for sparks