89 e-50: Is My Engine Dying?!?!?

[bridge]

89 e-350;
was working fine; hard to keep under 80 on the highway; lost power, wouldnt go over 45;changed fuel filter; worked fine lost power on highway again AFTER ADDING DIESEL CLEAN; replaced fuel injectors ($350) after having them tested (BAD) ; still won't do over 45!?!?!

after sitting for a while, it starts great, idles great then gets worse as i drive until it wont do over 25! the idle eventually sounds terrible, like only half the pistons are firing and it barely runs. it also stutters and wavers and makes the whole van rock around 35 and 45. i havent noticed any air in the fuel system, but i loosened a couple of injectors and one of them wasn't getting fuel!

could it be a simple adjustment or is my IP that i spent $500 on 6 months ago already f'd!?!?!?

please help!! im out of ideas, low on cash, and need my van to get 10 miles to work, etc!!
thanks, -b

[cdnsarguy]

Checked the fuel pump pressure.......

Do a pressure and flow test of the fuel pump at the Schrader valve on the filter header (FSS- fuel shutoff solenoid disconnected on IP). Remove the tire valve core and hook a hose and pressure guage on it should see 4-6 psi when cranking. Then do a fuel quantity test same place, should see 1/3 pint in 10 seconds of engine cranking, route fuel to a suitable container with a hose.
If there is a problem with the lift pump and you are changing it, ensure the new pump comes with instructions as to correct installation procedure if it is the newer model pump with the almost straight arm.

Where did you get the IP..........

[bridge]

ok ill try to check the pressure and quantity from the fuel pump. it was replaced by the previous owner not too many miles ago, but i know from research that those were the most problematic part of that engine...

the IP was ordered rebuilt from a local IP specialist, but i've spoken with him and he thinks that it IS a problem with fuel getting TO the IP. are there any other spots in the fuel line ie screens/filters that could have sediment building up??

thanks again for your time...

[cdnsarguy]

The fuel filter usually catches all the nasty stuff....... there is another filter screen but it is inside the IP and not normally touched due to guts falling out if you do it wrong. Your IP guy would have cleaned that anyway. Lately there have been some problems with fuel flow thought to occur due to a bad fuel cap....... yours may not have the fancy ones that are for a sealed system.............might try leaving yours loose so as not to allow a vacuum.............??

If the fuel pump fails the test......... consider the following info, since the pump was replaced by the PO. MY "thought" is new IPs will/can "pull" enough fuel to run, but when you get on the highway it may not be able to keep up........ so if the pump arm is bent etc due to incorrect installation you not getting pumped fuel.........????

This info pertains to Carter #M60278 pump or new long arm style.
WARNING
This fuel pump must be installed only at the low position of actuator cam.
If the pump is installed at any other position than low cam, the pump will be ruined, the engine will stall and damage may result.
Incorrect installation will loosen the pivot pin and allows the pin and lever to come out of the pump and drop into the oil pan. This can occur immediately or after several hundred miles. This type of failure is not covered by warranty.
To ensure that the cam is at low position, it is necessary to use a mirror and a remote starter switch. Observe the cam through the mounting port and bump the engine around until a one (1) inch wide machine surface is observed. This is low position of the cam. Now complete normal fuel pump installation.
9502CA
1991

[bridge]

im losing fuel to injectors! on starting, all the injectors are getting fuel; while driving, injectors lose fuel one by one until the engine is running on two or three cylinders and can't do over 10mph! after turning off the engine for awhile and letting it sit, it starts and idles fine again!?!? i cant figure out where the fuel block is that is causing this...!?!?

[cdnsarguy]

Check the fuel tank cap see if a vacuum is occuring.

[bridge]

it happens from both tanks... neither are pressurized changed filter... still sounds like its gonna die

[cdnsarguy]

OK.......on the top of IP there is a return line connected to a 90* fitting...... remove the fitting and look at the check ball for the timing advance.....any black pieces jammed in there.

If you want put a clear hose from the 90* fitting to a clean white plastic large margerine tub.. see if there are any black specs in the return fuel cranking or running......

How did the pressure and fuel test turn out......

[bridge]

i hit the schrader valve on the filter harness and it was spraying out, so that seems good... i dont have any fancy tools on hand to check the psi tho... ill look for the black stuff now...

[bridge]

didn't see any residue, but now that i put it back together it wont start and i drained the batteries trying...

[bridge]

do you think i may simply need my ip cleaned? i installed the rebuild last year...

[Snotzalot]

Dual tanks, perhaps the selector valve between the tanks is the problem.

Side note: My 90 E350 doesn't have a pressurized cap etc, half the time it's lose and runs fine.

[bridge]

as part of troubleshooting i bypassed the solenoid, so thats ruled out..

[Snotzalot]

Any chance the bolts holding the IP have loosened up and your timing has changed? Give a wiggle to the IP.

[bridge]

i adjusted the ip a mark's thickness to the center and now it wont even start