engine runs fine, then suddenly- no get-up-and-go

[iLoveMyExploder]

ive read many forums here about similar problems like this, but none are the same as these symptoms- so here goes...

ok so my exploder is not a daily driver and has been parked for quite awhile since the transmission started leaking.... I got no major money to fool with it- since my last heart attack I have been out of work dealing with a super slow recovery. but I still go out and start it up periodically just to let it run at idle.

so someone suggested I put a bottle of this blue devil transmission sealer in it to try and stop the leak. directions on the bottle said to drive it after adding it to the fluid. ...a couple months ago I put fluid in it and drove it around the block- and when I returned, it had not lost major amount of fluid, I figured it would be fine to do that again after adding the blue devil.

but this time, when I went "around the block" (2-3 miles) it was doing fine all around until suddenly- the engine started losing power and running around 500 rpm after maybe a mile or mile and a half. no shuddering, shaking, sputtering- no check engine light-- nothing unusual- just suddenly had no get up and go- as if it had just ran out of gas, but did not die. but the fuel gauge said it has 1/4 tank.

I stopped the truck and raised the hood, with it still running (at low rpm at idle). was running nice and smooth. then I thought it would be best to shut it off and check the fluids. everything seemed to be in acceptable ranges, except could have used more water in the radiator and was almost a quart low on oil- (needs a change)- but I don't believe these things would contribute to a loss of power.

so I sat there a few minutes, started it up again- and went further down the road- closer to the house. it revved up and shifted and acted normal again- then maybe 2/10-3/10 mile later- it did it again. so- I repeated the shutting it off and letting it sit, then moving further down the road- did this a total of 3 times. the 4th time starting it up and going, it maintained power and acted normal all the rest of the way home (less than 1/8 mile), but I didn't attempt to do the speed limit- I didn't go any faster than 20 or 30 MPH.

another thing to compare it to- think of an old 80's car with the distributer loose, mash the gas- it will go, but when you slow down and them accelerate again- no get up and go. that's how it was acting, except it just suddenly lost power without slowing down first

when I got it back to the house- the trans fluid was low again. so I suppose the blue devil didn't work, and the leaky gasket is too big for additives to handle.....

any ideas why the engine lost its get-up-and-go like that, but got it back temporarily after a couple minutes rest? ive never experienced these symptoms like this before, except in a 85 crown vic with a loose distributor as the culprit...

no shuddering, shaking, sputtering- no check engine light-- nothing unusual- just suddenly had no get up and go, and continues running smooth, but just at 500 rpms or less.

maybe the fuel pump is no longer putting out enough pressure anymore? maybe it really was out of gas and running on fumes, and the fuel float is stuck? this is supposed to be a common problem with explorers, maybe that's it? ...any ideas?

 

[natenkiki2004]

To me it sounds like fuel delivery, especially having sat. May be crud in the tank, may be clogged fuel filter or may just be a bad pump. Borrow a pressure gauge from a parts store and leave it hooked up under the hood and when it starts to crap out, monitor the pressure and report back here.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

just went to autozone's website. that tool costs like $150 to borrow. although I would get the money back upon return of the tool, we simply don't have that much money on hand- and most likely will not have it anytime soon, if ever at all. we are on a super tight shoestring budget since I had the latest heart attack I have not worked or earned a single dollar in nearly a year. im sorry to say- I cant afford to test the fuel pressure. but I think I can afford to replace the fuel filter. whether or not that's the problem it sure cant hurt to have a new one on there. I have no idea if it has ever been changed out since the 90's or not. but im going to change that out when I can and I will post the results afterwards.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Maybe try a different parts store, it shouldn't be that expensive. You can buy the tool from Harbor Freight for $90 plus their 20% off coupon, you're down to $72. If that fails, maybe post on Craigslist to borrow one or find a real nice backyard mechanic.

Normally I'd be all up for preventative maintenance as far as replacing the fuel filter but if money's that tight, I'd focus on diagnosing the issue properly and saving the cost of throwing parts at it.

 

[FR-425]

Old bad fuel. Save your money on the rat hole chase and just put some fresh gas in it.
This time put Stabil in it to preserve the fuel.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Old bad fuel. Save your money on the rat hole chase and just put some fresh gas in it.
This time put Stabil in it to preserve the fuel.

That brings up a good point... the old fuel could have soaked up water. Something cheap to try would be when it starts running rough, let some fuel out from the schrader valve onto white paper towels and see the color and give it a whiff.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

thanks for the advice, guys! good news- my father in law is going to borrow me the money so I can borrow the tools, in a week or two. I already got the new fuel filter, and will put that on before doing the tests. im pretty sure the gas is not bad- it has a strong odor, and the gas in it has not been sitting as long as the truck itself. it was low when I parked it, and later added a few gallons so I could start it up and let it run. I plan to put a few more gallons in the tank and see if the gage rises to check if the float is still working properly.

it doesn't run rough at all..... runs nice and smooth. wouldn't notice any problems if it weren't for the low RPMs

 

[natenkiki2004]

Run the fuel pressure test before you change the filter, so you know if replacing it did anything. You can leave it hooked up while you replace the filter. You'll also need the correct line disconnect tool to replace the filter.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

i recently did some work on my father in law's truck- replacing the fuel filter was among those things. they said I would need a special tool for disconnecting the lines, but I saw a youtube video showing how to do it with a screwdriver- that worked just fine for his truck (2002 ford escape).... on the exploder, is the fuel filter located in a tight space whereas I would need that special tool? or is it easy to get to?... I haven't got under there to look at it yet. we have been getting a lot of rain lately- the driveway is all muddy out there. I suppose maybe by the time I can get the fuel pressure tool, it should be dried up enough to get underneath it.

also- I already added a couple gallons to the tank. the float recognized more fuel in the tank, so I suppose that tells me there really was a 1/4 tank of gas when it started running funny. ...the low RPM thing happened when I drove it for a while... it never did it while sitting at idle. I started it up last night to jump off the daily driver car (a 2002 pt cruiser- seems to either be having a battery issue or anti-theft problem- still aint figured it out yet... it wont start or turn over- I posted about it on a PT cruiser forum)... I also added that quart of oil the exploder was low on. still- it ran smooth as ever while I left it running over 15 minutes trying to jump off the other car.

whenever I am able to do the fuel pressure tests next week, I will post the results. do any of yall know what the normal pressure is supposed to be?

also, I already know HOW to do these tests, no explanation needed. it just a matter of waiting to get the tools.... but also first I gotta figure out whats wrong with the PT... need that car for getting around in

 

[natenkiki2004]

Sure, you can do it with a screwdriver, others have done it with a pick or pen cap. But the tool isn't much and fits several sizes for Ford. I think I paid maybe $4 and it makes life a lot easier. That said, the filter isn't in a horrible spot but there is a cover over the top so take sockets down with you. It's inside the frame rail under the driver's door.

Off the top of my head, I think you want to see 40-45PSI. Shouldn't really be higher and I think the lowest might be 35PSI.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

heres an update... my father in laws tax return was ****ty, and money had to go to pay the past due bills- and buy parts to fix the daily driver (the ignition lock cylinder and actuator switch was busted- cheap plastic parts are crap- and the were expensive- costed over $180!!).... so i never got the gauge to test the fuel pressure.

i did get a new fuel filter, but i have not put it on yet. sadly, ive had the filter for a couple months already, just havent done it. its hard for me to get around nowadays, and it is difficult for me just to walk around and do simple tasks.... so today i managed to jack up the truck and crawl up under it. looks easy enough to get to the filter... looks like i can pry off those clips with a screwdriver... but its nothing like whats on the 2002 escape...

i still go out and start it up to let it run... seems it will run just fine for 3-5 minutes and then die. when restarting it immediately after it dies, it runs for a couple seconds- and dies again. if i wait 5 minutes or so between starts, it tends to remain running longer....

i think i ill be handling this fuel filter job soon. they doctors are getting my meds dosing better, and im feeling a little more energetic lately... although i still wont be walking through walmart anytime soon.

whenever i get the new filter on, i will post the results.