ford f150 surges, unsteady idle, almost backfires

1915 FORD F-150
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AIRFORCELOADMASTER
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got 1988 ford f15o with 140,000 miles. problem started with surging/sputtering at low speeds and rpms..stepped on gas it was fine. as soon as done revving engine it would sputter hard almost backfire. but never died. drove it for 2 days...then parked it for about 2 hours came back out to start would not start...then started for about 40 seconds ran real rough then stopped have not started since. during the initial problems the exhaust would have a gray/blue and sometimes dark gray smoke everytime stepped on gas... my mechanic told me possible catalytic converter blockage..due to age, and extreme discoloration of exhaust pipes forward of cats. don't know what to do.
Mar 19, 2007 at 10:08 PM
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AIRFORCELOADMASTER
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also. if i try to crank it it will crank for about 6-7 seconds then just abruptly stop...if i wait a few seconds it will crank again..but not as long..then abruptly stops....and smells like fuel. i am getting spark. getting fuel..i think it is plugged exhaust..because earlier i had a exhaust leak near egr valve tube and i think it killed my cats...just need some help.
Mar 19, 2007 at 10:17 PM
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2CARPRO JACK
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Try loosening the exhaust flanges at the manifolds enough for the gasses to escape and try starting it.Might be loud but if the cats are plugged it will run
Mar 21, 2007 at 7:53 AM
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AIRFORCELOADMASTER
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i am going to try that.. also i'm going to take out the plugs and dry them off make sure they aren't gas wet. i really hope its the exhaust that way i can at least know what it is
Mar 21, 2007 at 6:24 PM
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