87 Ranger 2.9 Vacuum issue. I think.

[LD57]

Howdy!

If you missed me in the transmission threads, I'm the original owner of this '87 Ranger 2.9 Cologne (YAY!) and Mazda TK-5 (YAY.... I think) tranny. About 230k on the clock.

Even after sitting over 10 years, and brought back to daily life after changing fuel tank, pumps, all fluids and especially tires, this old girl always started with barely turning the key.
That has changed, sometimes wanting to crank a bit, then blubbering to life with a strong raw gas smell from the exhaust. When driving, it will load up at random moments, and a half second mash of the throttle to the floor clears it's throat and off we go.

My pretty awesome parts guy that's an old Ranger hand said it's vacuum issues, which makes sense. I have replaced all the easy parts, and the plenum gaskets are new-ish having taken that off to replace the distributor. The issue persists, and disconnecting wires to a vacuum device on the passenger fender well does nothing, and that part was replaced.

Parts guy says I may need to pull the intake manifold to change gaskets and also do o-rings on the injectors. I've been whining for months on not wanting to do that, especially after the TK-5 clutch slave nightmare I had in July, and it's 105deg every day right now!

Is that what I need to do? Thanks!!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Disconnect the iac valve. Idle should drop or die. That's good. If not then you have a vacuum leak.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Pull the vacuum hose off the fuel pressure regulator and check it for fuel.

If theres fuel in it the FPR is bad....common on a 2.9

 

[LD57]

Disconnect the iac valve. Idle should drop or die. That's good. If not then you have a vacuum leak.

I'll check that in the morning!

Pull the vacuum hose off the fuel pressure regulator and check it for fuel.
If theres fuel in it the FPR is bad....common on a 2.9

Another morning check, thanks! Yeah, the truck was just a few years old when the original FPR failed, and gas was oozing out of everywhere it seemed! Freaked me out, but was an easy fix.

 

[JerrySab]

Pull the vacuum hose off the fuel pressure regulator and check it for fuel.

If theres fuel in it the FPR is bad....common on a 2.9

while he's checking..
do y'all know why these fail so often?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

while he's checking..
do y'all know why these fail so often?

No

 

[bcschief]

No

Crappy parts but that's a whole different thread.

 

[JerrySab]

No

Cool

 

[LD57]

ARRRRRR!!! There be fuel in the FPR vacuum line!!

 

[Jazzer]

Gas is getting through the FPR diaphragm and flooding yer engine- easy fix I hope.

 

[LD57]

Gas is getting through the FPR diaphragm and flooding yer engine- easy fix I hope.

Yep. Makes perfect sense, I shoulda thought of that some time ago. 2 days for one to get here, dangit.
Obviously gonna help gas mileage as well. Not much benefit from raw gas dumping out the exhaust.
I know...... no Dave!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Gas is getting through the FPR diaphragm and flooding yer engine- easy fix I hope.

Pretty easy fix. 2 10mm (IIRC) bolts and youll need one of those spring lock tools to uncouple the fuel line

 

[LD57]

The bolts are 8mm, and I thought I might be able to twist the old reg off that stub of fuel line and not use the goofy tool. Not!

I had some fuel line and clamps so no sweat, but that black plastic stuff that seemed to be heat shrunk on there was a PITA to get off! But neener neener....... I win!

Didn't realize a stub of line came with the new reg until I was done.
Whatever, I used my MADE IN THE USA stuff and off we go!
Replaced the brown o-rings on the male thingy.

Easy install, hit the starter and Bob's yer uncle!!

No leakie leakie, so me happy happy! Glad I don't have to take the top of the motor apart for gaskets and 0-rings, which will happen anyway once it cools down, and I really need to get the new gaskets in the valve covers!

Thanks for the tips guys!!!

 

[LD57]

Hey, what do y'all use to replace the plastic vacuum lines with? Rubber hose?
Mine are beyond patching and splicing.

 

[89RanBrII]

Hey, what do y'all use to replace the plastic vacuum lines with? Rubber hose?
Mine are beyond patching and splicing.

Vacuum line from the parts store