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1988 Ford Escort Stalling - Fuel System
Question: The car stalls when started for a few seconds. It idles fine for those few seconds then idles low & dies. while driving it starts chugging but stays running. As soon as the gas is taken off & brakes are applied the car dies but always starts right back up. I have changed the air filter, the oil (&filter), the gas & put injector cleaner twice. I am wondering if it is the fuel filter.
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Technican: Sounds like you my have a problem with either BMAP of TPC sensors. The TPC is sort of an electronic choke that determines the amount of fuel that needs to be delivered. The BMAP reads the amount of air flow that needs to be delivered. Also check all vaccume lines. If you can start the engine, listen for any hissing under the hood and try to pinpoint it. I think any one of these three or a combination of them will help you solve the problem.Its' not an easy task to do without a code reader, but not so expensive that you can't do on a trail and error basis. Check vaccume, BMAP, TPC if you going that route.
Paul
Owner: The check engine light did not come on therefore I didn't think a diagnostic was needed. I had checked all the vacuum hoses nothing. I didn't let you know the car had been sitting for awhile..only driven short distances I only bought it a few days before I had problems with it. (that's my luck) but before that it ran very well.
Technican: The fuel filter is probably overdue, so go ahead and change it.
Also get a can of throttle body cleaner and clean the idle air control valve and its passageway.
Try this and let know if there is an improvement. It may take a few steps to isolate the problem.
The TPS (throttle position sensor) can have a problem and never trigger a check engine light or set a code (somewhat common on Fords of this vintage).
Owner: Thanks Doug I will check & let you know.
Owner: Hey Doug I changed the fuel filter & it's running better. I haven't gotten the cleaner yet but I did put injector cleaner in a couple times. Could I just put more of that in or does it have to be throddle body cleaner?
Technican: Throttle body cleaner is spray cleaner, now it's usually the same as carburetor cleaner.
If the car is better you don't have to use the cleaner.
Do you still have a stalling problem?
Owner: Yes it still stalls but only after I drove it a long distance last night. It was running fine...This is what did. My boyfriend put the new filter on. I got home & drove it, it died once. I put injector cleaner in the tank and 93 octance gas. I figured since the car had been sitting for a long time before we purchased it, it had alot of gunk on the tank. It didn't die again until I drove it for 60 miles. Thins is what I think...please tell me if I'm wrong. :) I think the filter got clagged again because of the injector cleaner cleaned some more gunk out of the tank. I think I should get more injector cleaner & run it through this filter, then buy another filter & not put anymore injector cleaner in the tank. The reason I asked about the throddle body cleaner is because I think the car has regular ford injetion. I thought if it has troddle injection, the air filter would be sitting on a carburator looking thing. It's sitting on a bunch of spagetti. :) Let me know what you think....Thanks
Technican: Many people claim good results with Chevron Techron injector cleaner. Some of the less expensive brands don't do a whole lot.
"...please tell me if I'm wrong. :)"
I will tell you there are good mechanics that would agree with you. While absolutely possible, I guess it'll be something else. Just my guess- I hope I'm wrong.
-Has the car been driven enough to flush the old gasoline out, or more precisely, how many miles (aprox) has the car been driven since being parked?
Use the following link and enter year, make, mode, etc and study the repair guide to familiarize yourself with your car. Particularly the fuel injection system.
autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=viewRepairGuideYMMEYear
Also give me an update on the stalling condition. Under what conditions does the stall occur now? While slowing down, speeding up, climbing a hill, only when hot, only when cold, etc.
Give me as much information as you can.
Owner: Ok...I'm stubborn! I changed the fuel filter & put the cleaner in it. That day, it ran fine...a little strange on the idle but never stalled & never died. A couple days later it started doing the same thing...idleing strange, chugging when letting off the gas (even if just a little), and stalling at stop signs. It still started right up after it died, but would stay running for short & shorter times. I thought maybe all the bad gunk in the tank hadn't been out the first time so I changed the fuel fitler again. I blew through the old one (still only a week old) & expected it to be clogged..it wasn't. Clean as a whilstle. But I put the new one on anyway..the car ran fine again except for the strange idle. It never dies. I'm very confused...
Technican: When the car is idling fast enough it won't stall (ideally when the engine is cool to cold), unplug the electrical connector to the IAC (idle air control valve). Does the idle speed stabilize (steady and smooth)?
Remember this link for repair information-
autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=viewRepairGuideYMMEYear Here's How To Get Guaranteed Solutions In Minutes
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