need some advice on a fuel issue.

[patches5052]

ive got a 1994 3.0 5 speed manual. recently I drove the truck and it startec bucking real bad, it felt like the engine was going to fall out. when this happens no check engine light comes on. it did this while the truck was in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. when I managed to get it into 4th I kept it at 1500 rpm and got it home. the last time I drove it I started it up and drove it about 5 miles taking it easy and it did fine. I had to park it on a slight incline and when I went to start it again about 15 minutes later it idled rough and stalled. I started it back up and gave it some gas and got it to drive but it started bucking real bad again so I stopped and parkes it for about 2 hours and then tried to drive it home and it did fine until I hit a red light on a small incline and it started to buck real bad again then stalled out in traffic and would not start again. it would turn over but would not start. when I got it towed to my house, it started right up. all this time the check engine light has never came on. when I put the key in and turn it to the accessory position, I hear the fuel pump but do not recall hearing it when it stalled out that final time. I checked the purge line thats on the fuel rail and has like a valve stem cap on it and it has fuel. I usally fill up to about half a tank and run it to completely empty. I'm not really sure what could be causing this. my best guess is there maybe some sediment lodged in the fuel or something. any advice and knowledge would be much appreciated.

[rangerlocal]

Check fuel pressure, change fuel filter if you haven't yet. Check for pending CEL codes. Do you have any squeaking sounds coming from the engine?

[patches5052]

I have heard a squeaking sound, I did replace the the fuel filter. My next step was filling my tank up ans throwing one of those gumout fuel additives in and running some seafoam througn the vaccum line

[rangerlocal]

Does it sound like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ9WS4qcXBo

[patches5052]

I found the problem. I had something lodged in my fuel line between my fuel filter and my fuel rail. Im going to take the line to work with me a try to blow it out if that doesnt work ill just replace the line. thanks for the help.

[rangerlocal]

Keep us posted.

[patches5052]

had it towed to a shop and it turned out the pigtail on the distributor wasnt connected or wasnt making a good connection. I never would have thought to check that out. its been driving fine since. I appreciate the help

[rangerlocal]

Originally Posted by patches5052

had it towed to a shop and it turned out the pigtail on the distributor wasnt connected or wasnt making a good connection. I never would have thought to check that out. its been driving fine since. I appreciate the help

That's weird...did you not disconnect the pigtail when checking the cap and rotor?

[patches5052]

no, but the guy I bought it from in Febuary had changed the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. He had also adjusted the timing to 14° BTDC. The truck is running, but it started idling extremely high at around 2500 to 3000 rpms while in neutral or while the clutch is depressed.

[rangerlocal]

Originally Posted by patches5052

no, but the guy I bought it from in Febuary had changed the plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. He had also adjusted the timing to 14° BTDC. The truck is running, but it started idling extremely high at around 2500 to 3000 rpms while in neutral or while the clutch is depressed.

Timing too advanced or vacuum leak makes it idle higher. I think 14 degrees is a little much...I can't remember factory spec, but I think it's somewhere around 10.

[patches5052]

yea factory spec is 10. im gonna pull it in and check the timing. Given that the mechanic was messing around with the dustributor i figured timing could be the issue. im just glad its running again.