PLEASE ADVISE! Fuel Woes...

[MRBaldwin]

I have an 88' Ranger XLT 2.9L 4x4 5 Speed as my DD. I recently tuned it up (wires, plugs, etc..., fuel filter, air filter, oil and filter change) along with a new t-stat and TPSensor. My problem is when i start the truck up, it will fire but dies within a second. After this happens, the truck just turns over for approx. 1-2 minutes before it will pick back up and run. After I get it running again, it idles something awful until I drive it 2 or 3 miles. When I turn the switch over without starting it, the pump (or the box on the inner framerail underneath the driver side) makes a crazy whining sound (not your typical fuel pump sound) and while its running @ idle, that same sound tends to surge. IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN HELP ME WITH THIS???

 

[Earl43P]

Pretty sure those had a transfer pump in the tank AND the pressure pump on the frame rail. If the one in the tank is kaput, the one on the rail has to suction more than it was designed to. Or, the one on the frame rail is simply bad.

I've never actually "heard" the one in the tank on these older trucks (I did have an 83 long ago, but it was carb'd), but I'd expect it to be audible if you disconnect the one on the frame rail.

You could also try turning the key to RUN (do not crank the starter), listen to the FP run/quit, turn key to OFF, repeat 3X, priming the system better, then attempt to start it.

I'd also suggest looking at the new FF connections. If they are seeping, that'll make it "lose its pressure".

 

[IMenriched]

I have an 88' Ranger XLT 2.9L 4x4 5 Speed as my DD. I recently tuned it up (wires, plugs, etc..., fuel filter, air filter, oil and filter change) along with a new t-stat and TPSensor. My problem is when i start the truck up, it will fire but dies within a second. After this happens, the truck just turns over for approx. 1-2 minutes before it will pick back up and run. After I get it running again, it idles something awful until I drive it 2 or 3 miles. When I turn the switch over without starting it, the pump (or the box on the inner framerail underneath the driver side) makes a crazy whining sound (not your typical fuel pump sound) and while its running @ idle, that same sound tends to surge. IS THERE ANYONE THAT CAN HELP ME WITH THIS???

MrB
well try to have the codes pulled. in the mean time...you may have a couple things going on that may or may not be related to check.

poor running
When it does start after the 2nd time & runs rough, does it pop sound like its back firing or has black smoke out the tailpipe???

It might be that the coolant sensor (for the ecm or engine computer, not one for the dash), is not sending a correct information.

You can clean the AIC (Air Idle Control), on the passagner side of the Upper Intake (UI) about midd stream, remove spray with carb cleaner & let dry, might have to do this a few times. While that is off, look to see how much carbon is built up around the port where it mounts on the UI...if you see extra cling-ons & check the back side of the throttle plate, if it is heavily coated with carbon too...then it might be wise to remove the whole UI and clean.

FP noise

you might not of gotten one of the fuel lines not back on correctly, after the filter change, sucking air in the fuel making it "sound funny" and would also create poor runability. OR it could mean that your fuel pump is on the way out

check the fuel pressure, best with a guage...but quick check;
the shraider valve{like a tire stem} on the fuel manifold,(under the UI) depress it (caution fuel could spray out, keep hot/open flame items out of way). You should get a pretty good fountian, normal pressure is 30-40psi. ~keep a rag handy to mop up and spillage as best you can. ya might just have air pocket, it should have worked its way out...but ya never know, watch for air bubbles/froth.

It might be possible that you have 2 fuel filters, 1 after frame rail FP & 1 before the frame rail FP , but two different styles of filter the other is a cansiter that unscrews on the bottom, just after the tank, again on the frame rail, near the T case. Thinking that by 88' they did away with one before frame rail FP?? YA could have 2 fuel pumps too, a primer pump, so to speak in the tank.

 

[MRBaldwin]

Is there some guidance as to how i would need to go about changing out the pump that is inside the tank? Any other suggestions? Thanks again.

 

[IMenriched]

Is there some guidance as to how i would need to go about changing out the pump that is inside the tank? Any other suggestions? Thanks again.

Typically, one takes the bed off, (its not too heavy, 2 usually can remove with no problem). you should be able to unplug the tail lights from the harness and you'll have to loosen the filler neck hose. With bed removed everything on the top of the tank is then exposed and easy to get at.

clean the top of the tank where sending unit are and remove the hoses (note which hose went where...tap the tension/securing ring to the open notch for the sending unit and remove.

you can remove the everything from the bottom but then LOTS of crud and grit is falling in your face.

 

[MRBaldwin]

Is the pump inside the tank the only one i need to purchase and replace? I talked to a mechanic earlier today and he was saying that there could be two pumps, one in the tank and one on the framerail. And about my buzzing noise that is coming from the box behind the fuel filter that is at the front of the truck on the driver side (the box being halfway back on the trucks frame, driver side still)? Does that need to be replaced as well? Does anyone have numbers for all that iw ould need and the cheapest place to buy them at? Thanks for all of the help again.