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1985 Ford Bronco Ford Bronco 2 fuel issues

Tiny
SHANABE
  • MEMBER
  • 1985 FORD BRONCO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
Ok I have an 1985 Ford Bronco 2 that we have been working on getting the fuel lines and everything put back into good shape. The engine has been replaced and has only 67,000 miles on, the carb is only 2 1/2 months old, plugs, wires, distributor, fuel filters all new. The previous owner used to take the truck to the sand dunes so there was a lot of gunk in the tank and as a result we did drop the tank and cleaned it out. We also, 1 week later replaced all the fuel filters.

Well even after all of this there is a problem and we are stumped as to where to look to figure it out since it can be several things. Once the engine is up to running temp it will sputter and then die. Once it has died it is very difficult to start it again, it will just crank and crank and may or may not finally turn over. I do not want to put anymore money into it unless I know it is the fix. I followed the fuel line down to the fuel pump and did find a part right next to the pump that has electrical wiring that goes to the relay but we dont know what that thing is. It has cloth covering on the wires however where the wires plug into the device it is nearly bare wire but I do not know that this would be the source of any of the problem.

Thank you for your help
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 12:46 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
WHen it doesn't start, have you checked to see if it has good fuel pressure and good spark? WIll it start with starting fluid? As far as the wire, I can't be sure what it is going to.
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Thursday, June 4th, 2009 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
SHANABE
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Well I found out that it was not the fuel line at all. The mechanic who worked on the Bronco for my friends basically replaced everything at one point and time EXCEPT for the ignition module! He even replaced the distributor but put an old module on it. I got that changed with a new cap and rotor and she seems to be doing ok. Except that she still likes to stall out at stop lights but with cleaner in the gas and carb she is getting the gunk out.

And when I say that I got it changed I mean that I did the replacement and the work. Not too shabby for a girl that is not mechanical at all and only knows where the fluids go and how to check them.
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Friday, June 5th, 2009 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
GOOD JOB! I know girls that are great mechanics, so don't be too hard on yourself.

IF the idle doesn't get better, double check for vacuum leaks and the EGR for a malfunction.

Let us know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Friday, June 5th, 2009 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
SHANABE
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  • 5 POSTS
Well I have a new issue that I thought was fixed with the ICM but it doesnt appear that it was totally the problem.

My Bronco 2 still hesitates when starting from a stop and acts like it is getting too much fuel. In fact the other day it was acting up, back fired, had trouble starting, and I realized that the carb was flooded. I have read up on how to adjust the mixture but people are warning me to not even go there. It may be a vacuum issue but I do not have a test gauge to check as they are freaking $40 to buy.

After it died this last time we were going to tow it home but it started right up and ran home just fine. However now when I go to start it she does what she is supposed to do until I put it into reverse or drive then she sputters and acts like she wants to die. I put gas treatment and got carb spray to blow out the ethanol build up in the fuel lines but she still seems to be running rich. When it idles you can actually smell the gas running through.

Should I try to adjust the mixture or just leave it alone and see if it is something else? My friends who have worked on their rigs are afraid that they will mess it up worse and dont want to break it more than it is.

Thanks
Shannon
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Friday, June 12th, 2009 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
If you can smell the gas, I agree. It's getting too much. Have you been able to find any potential vacuum leaks? Also, does it ever run good for you or is it always bad? If you decide to try the air / fuel mixture, turn both air and fuel screws in the entire way and then back them out one and a half turns. Start from there. By the sounds of it, you won't hurt anything. A will assume the choke is not sticking closed.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, June 13th, 2009 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
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It does actually run ok when it wants to. I took it for a probably 50+ mile drive round trip and she was AWESOME! Happened to discover I blew a water hose when I got home but still had water in the radiator and never got too hot.

This last day when she decided to act up I had actually been driving her all day and was probably 8 blocks from home before the backfire. It is getting frustrating having the darn thing spending more time in the driveway then driving but I knew there were issues when I bought it. Figure that so far it cant be too darn bad though since I have only put about $150 total into fixing it and she is getting better. Just got to figure out the last few bugs that are left in her and I know she will be a good rig for a long time to come with good old fashioned TLC. But what older vehicle doesnt need lots of that.

Oh and no the choke isnt sticking at all when its warmed up its open.
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Saturday, June 13th, 2009 AT 11:31 PM
Tiny
SHANABE
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So today while looking for vacuum leaks we were taking apart the thermactor stuffs and found that one of the vacuum nipples had been conveniently at some point and time connected to its associated vacuum hose via silacone. Both the nipple and hose end were full of this silicone. The nipple leads back to the relay on the passenger side of the vehicle. Could this be a cause of the problem I am having with loosing power when slowing and accelerating from a stopped position? I also found an electrical connection on what we believe is the engine mounted fuel pump that had been mended with of all wonderful things, painters tape.

Thanks again for the help and believe me when I say that as soon as I get my financial aid there will be a donation coming because you guys are a wonderful resource for me.
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Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 AT 12:53 AM

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