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  #1  
Old 08-16-2010, 05:36 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

My 2.9 in my 1988 runs rough when I start it up and then smooths out. Does not really fell like a miss but just rough running. Thought I would start with some new plugs and see what happens. It did sit for a couple of years and I picked it up and started driving it. It did tick adn blowing oil really bad but I found it had a clogged oil filter when I did an oil change. Any other ideals?
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  #2  
Old 08-16-2010, 12:08 PM
Yrac Yrac is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Basic tune up, new dist. cap and maybe wires. I take it that you've driven it enough to get fresh gas through it, maybe a fuel fiter too. Don't forget to check out your brake sytem if it's been sitting long.
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  #3  
Old 08-24-2010, 05:01 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Changed out the Fuel filter the other day and still have the same problem. Seems to be really bad when you first start it and then gets a little better. It does not die out on me but still rough at idle. Plugs look good, they where changed by the last owner before it was parked. Have run fresh gas though it and just filled the tank the other day. I was thinking maybe the Idle Air Control Valve is dirty?
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  #4  
Old 08-24-2010, 06:52 AM
Psychopete Psychopete is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

It's just very general to really point to anything specific. The problem could be about 2 dozen different things..

All I can offer is what I'd do in your shoes; check the fuel pressure, and check how long it's holding (injector stuck open? FPR leaking? weak pumps or dirty tank?), compression test, dist cap & rotor & wires (maintenance items), run codes from the computer, check for vacuum leaks/read the vacuum, etc, needs all-around TLC diagnostics. With something that's set for so long, no telling what it could be.. Probably wouldn't hurt to check the ECT vs temp also. Cleaing the IAC wouldn't hurt, just make sure the gasket is not leaking if you re-use the old one.

Edit:
2.9Ls are also prone to fail if not maintained well. Heads crack and the oiling system is not great. Maintenance is key on this engine, there are some you can stretch, but not a good idea on this engine.

Last edited by Psychopete; 08-24-2010 at 06:57 AM.
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  #5  
Old 08-25-2010, 05:38 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

The tank and pump were replaced by the last owner of the truck along with new clutch/and slave and a new complete exhaust system. I did take a look and the intake area this morning and it was really dirty and built up with a lot of crud. I think I will pick up some cleaner and get some new plugs this weekend and start with that.
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  #6  
Old 08-29-2010, 09:52 AM
brett1989 brett1989 is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Im looking at an 88 with the 2.9 and it seems to do the same thing, but i can smell fuel so im just going to replace the intake gaskets, fuel line, filter, put a new cap and rotor on it, plug wires, and plugs. But the truck is only 375 bucks so ya cant go wrong with it right?
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  #7  
Old 08-30-2010, 05:13 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

I cleaned the IAC the other day an it did help a bit but when the motor is cold its the worst. After it warms up a bit its a little better.
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  #8  
Old 08-30-2010, 06:40 AM
brett1989 brett1989 is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

You could have bad valve seals, and its leaking fuel and or oil down into the cylinders while its off, hence why it would run like crud when you start it cold. any smoke at all from the exhaust?
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  #9  
Old 08-31-2010, 04:56 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

I have not really noticed and smoke from it.
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  #10  
Old 08-31-2010, 05:19 AM
87bullsnkranger 87bullsnkranger is offline
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Talking Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

man mine really dosn't run rough but have some idle problems like idle fluctuation up and down some seems to depend on humidity and weather which makes me giggle cause seems my truck only loves cool dry conditions for running smooth lol, but i looked at throttlebody and up intake dirty and grimmy as heck needs cleaned heard an idea jack passenger front up just high enough to tilt truck forward and to passenger side then go to spraying trottlebody and intake out with injector cleaner letting it run out because truck is tilted this way less crap getting in engine,mine though the egr valve is got me thinking what to do man can i just take apart and clean or replace it.
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  #11  
Old 09-01-2010, 04:43 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Well the check engine light came on the other day when I was driving to work. It started to idle realy bad and then the light came on. Went on in to work and when I came out to drive home the light stayed off and it ran fairly well for the 13 mile drive back.
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  #12  
Old 09-01-2010, 06:07 AM
Psychopete Psychopete is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimandpam View Post
Well the check engine light came on the other day when I was driving to work. It started to idle realy bad and then the light came on. Went on in to work and when I came out to drive home the light stayed off and it ran fairly well for the 13 mile drive back.
I can only think of to run through the diagnostic procedues that I posted. That code will be a good hint. When the computer throws on the check engine light, it has seen an issue, and it stores the code in stored memory.

Need to pull codes. But the code could have been trigger by something else that's off, that is why I suggested to check your vitals; eg fuel pressure, vacuum, compression, etc. Could be a lot of different things, and it helps to narrow down by making sure that everything is where it needs to be.

Can spend hundreds replacing every sensor under the hood, when it could be a bad fuel pressure regulator; a fuel pressure gauge would have caught it right off the bat...

Look at the diagnostic connector on this page:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.html

You'll want to jumper the small square plug to the terminal indicated on the connector as shown with a paper clip or short piece of wire.

Since you have a check engine light, all you will need to do is turn the key on 'Run' and watch the check engine light blink in the cab. Just did this on a '93 and the CEL was burnt out, so I hooked up a 12v test light and taped it to the hood in place of the meter..

Once the key is on run, it will blink sparatically for about 1 sec. This is the fast codes (disregard).

Then it will start pulsing out clodes in blinks. They will be 2 digit codes, with 11 being the OK code. Codes are repeated twice.

1....1..1..1........1....1..1..1.. for example this would be code 13.. Best to write down with a pen and paper while going through this.

Once it's gone through the first portion, there will just be ONE separator pulse. This indicates that the system is now outputting stored memory codes (the codes you need from the previous CEL).

Once you have gone though that, make the sure the engine is warm, and run though KOER. Basically leave the jumper connected and start the truck. It will do a series of tests and the idle will change. After about 30-45 sec. there will be a single pulse. This is called the goose pulse. Give the throttle a good wrap so that it can test the TPS sensor function. If you don't you'll get a no throttle reseponse detected code.

After that KOER codes are blinked out.

Also think that computer can do a cylinder balance test.
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  #13  
Old 10-08-2010, 05:03 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Got some time off work and took a look at the old Ranger the other day and found that the Fuel Regulator was bad. It was leaking gas into the vacuum line. Pluged the vacuum port and line and it runs so much better for now till I get a new one. Anyone know where to get a cheap one?
Now to move on to the gas gauge that stopped working last week.
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  #14  
Old 10-18-2010, 04:31 AM
jimandpam jimandpam is offline
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Default Re: My 88 with 2.9 runs rough

Picked up a fuel regulator the other day and what a big inprovement, NAPA has them for $30 bucks in my area but I found someone parting out a truck a few miles from me and I got the one off that truck for $10 bucks. About the only problem I had was I did not have the tool to pull the fuel connector apart so I had to try and get it to fit back into the old fuel line.
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