1988 F-150 loses power - Engine Troubleshooting


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1988 F-150 loses power

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ron488587
New User

Feb 6, 2010, 10:25 AM

Post #1 of 4 (3515 views)

1988 F-150 loses power	Sign In

1988 F-150 , 4.9 liter in line 6 cyl., 4 wheel drive, 4 speed manual transmission. dual fuel tanks.
Intermittently, when driving and while setting still with engine idling, engine begins to run rough and looses power, to the point that truck won't pull itself even on level ground. Sometimes, engine even stops running, sometimes it will restart and sometimes it won't restart. Have drained both fuel tanks, no dirt or water found in either. Replaced fuel filter, high pressure fuel pump, TFI module located on the side of the distributor, distributor cap, and rotor. Nothing has helped. Most of the time when it isn't acting up, it runs great and has plenty of power. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
It may go 2 or 3 hundred miles or even 2 or 3 tanks of gas, it almost always quits going up hill (big or small) and if it dies most of the time will restart like nothing
is wrong in a hour or so

(This post was edited by ron488587 on Feb 8, 2010, 8:10 AM)

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 6, 2010, 2:56 PM

Post #2 of 4 (3503 views)

Re: 1988 F-150 loses power	Sign In

Hummm? >>"won't pull itself on level ground<<"

That could be several things, one could be exhaust restriction but that doesn't usually heal - some may be better cold for a while if converters.

I think this engine was also known for stretching head bolts but the symptoms don't match so far for that.

Another is worn timing chain if original as some can jump which really messes up valve timing and power or back fires and for some strange reason can jump back to where they belong?? Age, not just miles matters with OE timing chains,

T

nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Feb 6, 2010, 6:05 PM

Post #3 of 4 (3497 views)

Re: 1988 F-150 loses power	Sign In

prior to doing this, did the idle surge up and down?

ron488587
New User

Feb 8, 2010, 8:05 AM

Post #4 of 4 (3477 views)

Re: 1988 F-150 loses power	Sign In

In Reply To

prior to doing this, did the idle surge up and down?

It did for a long time (years) but has not for a while now.
it may go for 2 or 3 hundred miles or even 2 or 3 tanks of gas.
It almost always happens going up hill big or small.
if it dies it will restart like nothing is wrong in ahour or so

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