'88 5.0 starting/running problems

Topic: '88 5.0 starting/running problems (Read 12952 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #15 – April 13, 2005, 11:44:51 PM

Well, The EGR is an issue and it seems the IAC may have been one as well. Is it idling smooth or chugging?

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #16 – April 13, 2005, 11:51:00 PM

Idles fine with EGR connected and IAC disconnected.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #17 – April 13, 2005, 11:59:27 PM

hmmm and it bogs when you stomp on it.......I'm gonna sleep on this one. Watch, I'll wake up at like 3:30 shouting "Eureka!" :p

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #18 – April 14, 2005, 01:52:54 PM

If I did something like that, the woman would probably tell me to shut up and go back to sleep. :p

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #19 – April 14, 2005, 03:21:26 PM

It could have a bad temp (ECT)sensor, MAP sensor, maybe dirty injectors or weak fuel pressure. Possibly the iginition timing is off(retarded).

At this point you really need to scan it for codes.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #20 – April 14, 2005, 03:37:46 PM

I get no codes (well, I get 11s) if everything is plugged in.. but it doesn't want to run if the IAC is plugged in. Runs if EGR is plugged in.

Once it's warmed up, (3-4 bars on the digital temp gauge) it runs a little bit more normal. Idles a little high at 1000 RPM, but it doesn't seem to like idling any lower than that. (gets rough) When it's cold, I have to really work the pedal and rev it a lot to keep it going.. but once it's warm, I don't. Also, when it's cold, any time I step on the gas at all, it bogs. When it's warm, I can gently depress the pedal and it'll rev right up.. but a sharp stab at the pedal will still bog it when warm.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #21 – April 14, 2005, 03:40:54 PM

Hmmm timing seems like a good place to start....It's Free! ( If you got a timing light that is)......

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #22 – April 14, 2005, 03:43:40 PM

OK Since it doesn't have any error codes, the problem is likely timing, fuel pressure, or dirty injectors.

Maybe could be bad gas... Bet you haven't thought of that one :D

But if it smells Ok I doubt it is the problem...

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #23 – April 14, 2005, 03:48:50 PM

I'll have to ask a friend if he has a timing light. Replacing the TPS ate up what little money I had for the car this week.

His initial thoughts on the car's problems a few days ago were "distributor or computer", so you'll probably make his day if you're right on the timing.

Nothing I can do in the fuel pressure department. Have nothing to check it with.

Dirty injectors I could believe, with the old gas situation and all. (I mean the stuff that was still in it before I filled it in November)

EDIT: Well, I've burned 3 gallons away so far.. 19 to go, if it is bad gas. Oh yeah.. it does tend to stink quite a bit more after running this car vs. running the '86.

Another edit: I do have a few bucks to spare, still.. (for the moment) should I buy a bottle of anything in particular to put in the tank?

Current contents of the gas, from when the tank was full: (it's now 3 gallons off full)

2 gallons of gas that's well over a year old.
~20 gallons of 92 octane, added last week of October/first week of November.
2 bottles of STP Gas Treatment. (I think that's what I used) Added the day the car was last filled.
1 bottle of fuel stabilizer, added sometime around late December to January.

Fuel filter was changed just before the (approx.) 20 gallons were added.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #24 – April 14, 2005, 04:33:06 PM

I'm still doubting the gas is the problem, but since it has already had a bunch of additives, I'd drain the tank and try some fresh. You can use the pump in the tank.. Just ground the tan/green wire on the end of the EEC test plug and the pump will run continually with the IGN switch on. You can then remove the schrader valve core, and using a 1/4" hose pump the gas into the other vehicles you have. Even if the gas is stale 5 or so gallons should not cause any problems.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #25 – April 14, 2005, 05:55:08 PM

it, just filled the '86 the other day.. and I think my mother's car is full as well.

Oh well, I have like 15 gallons worth of gas cans.. and maybe I can puppies a few gallons off on a friend.. see if he's willing to use it.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #26 – April 14, 2005, 08:00:14 PM

We're going to hold off on draining the gas for now. That friend of mine is going to come over tomorrow after work and attempt to change timing by hand and ear. He's done it several times before, and apparently done very well with it, so hopefully that'll help. We don't have a timing light available, and we've never used one anyway.

I think I'm gonna run out and pick up a new negative battery terminal.. the more I look at it, the more it bugs me that it's all mangled. Besides.. poking around in the Haynes manual troubleshooting section, stuff like bad ground kept coming up.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #27 – April 15, 2005, 06:51:24 PM

Hahahahahaha, my luck f'n blows.

Friend came over today to set the timing by hand/ear.. got his wrench on the bolt holding in the distributor, and proceeded to break the TFI module clean in half when it slipped.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #28 – April 16, 2005, 08:41:07 AM

Think positive... maybe the TFI was the problem.

Re: '88 5.0 starting/running problems

Reply #29 – April 16, 2005, 08:53:25 AM

I did think about that briefly yesterday, while staring at the broken-off piece of it. It was quite brittle.