Saw this 1989 Bronco for sale and was thinking of picking it up. I've been thinking about getting a fullsize Bronco for a while. Here's the description of the problem:

Quote :

" minor work is...The engine runs well but stalls after about 45 minutes then acts like it is flooded for about half an hour, then it starts right back up and runs fine again. Seems like something that someone who knows auto mechanics should be able to deal with fairly easily. "

What kinds of things would cause this issue?

7/31/2007 12:58:40 PM

-vent issue with the gas tank
-fuel pump relay heating up/losing connection
-ecu heating up/losing connection

7/31/2007 1:04:55 PM

ford efi, nuff said

7/31/2007 1:10:15 PM

Quote :

"-vent issue with the gas tank -fuel pump relay heating up/losing connection -ecu heating up/losing connection"

If it's a problem with the tank vent then it should be extremely slow trying to fill it up with gas, right?

I guess I could narrow it down to the fuel pump relay or fuel pump by listening to see if I can hear the fuel pump priming when it won't crank. If that's the case I'd just swap the relay and if that doesn't work I'd do the pump and vent (since I'd have to drop the tank to get to the high pressure pump.) Does that sound about right?

If the pump sounds like it is priming then go for a junkyard ECU or an ECU rebuild?

[Edited on July 31, 2007 at 2:33 PM. Reason : s]

7/31/2007 2:32:50 PM

trash in the tank clogging the screen

7/31/2007 2:36:37 PM

i would definately start with a fuel filter

7/31/2007 3:55:37 PM

Talked to the guy on the phone. Both fuel pumps and the sending unit already replaced by a shop.

I'm going to take a look at it this evening. I'll take a look at the inline fuel filter and fuel relay to see if it looks like they have been changed. If it runs well and isn't overheating I might bring it home.

7/31/2007 4:09:48 PM

wait, is it a dual tank?

7/31/2007 4:26:14 PM

Don't know yet, but I doubt it since he didn't mention it when talking about replacing the fuel pump. Going to check it out shortly. Why do you ask?

[Edited on July 31, 2007 at 6:12 PM. Reason : ;l]

7/31/2007 6:09:40 PM

It would make sense to check the fuel pressure. And Fords happen to have a Schrader valve on the fuel rail...

7/31/2007 6:15:46 PM

Any idea where I could borrow a fuel pressure gauge? Does Autozone sell/rent them?
how much?

[Edited on July 31, 2007 at 6:28 PM. Reason : .]

7/31/2007 6:27:56 PM

fuel pressure test FTW

but some of those furds have dual pumps (and dual filters maybe?) even if its a single tank

but i still say trash in the tank

7/31/2007 8:34:05 PM

Checked it out today. Both fuel pumps and the fuel filter have been replaced. Single gas tank.

It ran good for about 20 minutes on the test drive. It was at least a quart high on oil...Maybe more, but I doubt that is the problem. After about 20 minutes it started running like shit. The idle slowed to a crawl and it was running really rough. When I turned off the A/C it cut off completely. The funny thing was that it cranked up a few times with the A/C on, but it wouldn't crank with the A/C off. Fortunately we were in his yard when it got to this point. Finally it cut off for good and wouldn't crank at all.

At that point when it wouldn't crank at all I turned the key on and I could hear the fuel pump priming. That's not to say that fuel was actually getting to the fuel rail, but I didn't know what else to do without a fuel pressure gauge or a new fuel pump relay.

What do y'all think? I'd be willing to go for the cost of a fuel pump relay and a junkyard computer, but I don't want to drop too much money on it. Plus I found a few other little problems that I'd have to fix.

Also, the guy told me that the check engine light flickers on and off sometimes. I don't really care, but I'm concerned because it is way out of date on the inspection. Do I have to worry about failing due to CEL on a 1989?

7/31/2007 9:11:17 PM

replace the IAC. then drop the tank and clean it out.

7/31/2007 9:50:59 PM

no, 89 is safety inspection only. trash in the tank like primer said could be the problem. usually it doesn't take that long for the trash to settle back off the pickup though.

i'd still be curious about a vent problem. gas filling wouldn't be affected. what happens is the pump eventually pulls such a vacuum on the tank, and can no longer pull fuel. i also might suspect vapor lock. take a look at the fuel lines being too close to hot parts like exhaust, etc.

what about this one? same price. body is a little rougher, but it runs well (so he says) and has MUD TARS. i've got a rear glass to fit it you could get.
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/386329787.html

7/31/2007 10:12:48 PM

^ Good points. I spotted that one you posted, but he's been trying to sell it for a month and the guy doesn't have the title. IMO if he wants to sell it then he needs to get the title first. I don't care to deal with it otherwise.

I've already got some mud taars I can put on it. 31x10.50 MTRs have been sitting in the back yard for 8 months.

7/31/2007 10:21:55 PM

another possibility is the TFI (ignition) module on the distributor.... they're notoriously problematic and i've seen a couple act about like you describe.... next time it craps out check for spark and hit that schrader valve on the fuel rail.... a strong spray=good.... dribble=bad

7/31/2007 10:26:57 PM

^^sounds like it's at least titled to him though, he just lost it. you could ask him to do an instant title at the dmv office on new bern. costs more than a regular replacement, but you get it on the spot.

or, i believe the "affadavit of facts" form works for transfering a lost title to a new owner, as long as it's titled in the seller's name. i did that for a bike once.

7/31/2007 10:34:06 PM

yeah MVR-4 FTW and its free

7/31/2007 11:26:03 PM

Could be fuel related but I would check out the cataliyic converter as well. Just a though

8/1/2007 8:23:02 AM

I ended up passing on it. Guy wanted $1000 and was pretty firm. I offered $800, but he wouldn't budge and I decided I'd rather not spend my weekends working on a truck for the rest of the summer.

Still keeping my eyes open for a mid-to-large sized SUV or a pickup truck. Something along the lines of a Bronco, 4Runner, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, or a Yota/Ford/Chevy truck.

8/2/2007 9:43:34 AM

there is a mid-90's tahoe for sale on tryon rd. btween lake wheeler rd. and tryon pines, not really sure what kinda condition the drivetrain is in, but it doesn't look in too bad of shape overall

8/2/2007 10:09:26 AM

oh yeah, don't know how the Tahoe got left off the list. Spotted a nice looking loaded 2003 Z71 Tahoe for $14,400 last weekend. Probably has a ton of miles to be that cheap.

8/2/2007 10:37:49 AM

Hmmm. Guy said the other buyer fell through and he'll take $800 if I still want it.

Yea or Nay?

8/6/2007 6:34:37 PM

offer 650 and tell him to take it or leave it

8/6/2007 6:37:40 PM

I mean, KBB was something like $1950 for private party in 'fair' condition. Wouldn't be a bad deal if I could get it going and cleaned up for less than $1200.

8/6/2007 6:43:53 PM