My 91 daily driver is acting up

[Shooter_68]

I have a 91 that is in rough shape but it gets me where i need to go most of the time. My gas gauge broke a few yrs ago and has not worked since. Recently on a trip about 45 miles north of me the truck started smoking from the engine and putting off a smell. At the same time I noticed my gas gauge starts working. Simultaneously to that I notice my brakes are very tight when I push on them. I get to a stopping place and I see some smoke coming from what appears to be a sparkplug. I attempted to tighten the plug but it didnt move. I also noticed some fluid (oil I think) around the area. I am guessing I have a valve gasket leak that is leaking on to the plug area causing the smoke there. I do not know. My big question is why the gas gauge started working and why the brakes tightened. I thought it might have been a fluke because the next morning my gauge didnt work. However whenever I go on a trip about 30 or 45 miles away from home it happens. It has happened to me 4 times now in 3 mnths.

On top of this a few days ago I started getting a squeek when i go in reverse that sounds like it is brake related or possibly the Ujoint. It squeeks with the speed of the tires.

Yesterday I got the smoking engine, gas gauge working, brakes tight incident and now this morning I have to press almost to the floor to get brakes. Any ideas? Where should I start? I am planning on doing the work myself with some help unless it gets too crazy.

 

[boggs1227]

WOW ! i'm just totally guessing here but maybe a abs electrical problem ??
can you tell if the squeek is from the front or rear break systems? maybe if it's the rear there may be a short near or around the fuel pump wires to cause a short ( makeing your guage work ) !?!?!? also what side of the engine did you notice oil at ?

 

[Shooter_68]

The oil is on the drivers side. A friend of mine was trying to help me troubleshoot this problem and we were thinking electrical as well but we were not sure what piece of the brake system was electrical. You may be on to something. I jacked up the rear and in reverse it does not squeek but it does sound like a grinding a little, im thinking universal. I am going to start by doing a brake job, then change out plugs and wires and then change out the universals. All of these things need to be done so might as well start there. May change the valve gaskets as well.

 

[Shooter_68]

Just a reply. I just got done replacing the plugs and wires, front brake pads, thermostat, air filter and fuel filter. I also put gasket maker on my valve gasket bolts that I could get to. I was amazed how loose the valve cover bolts were. A few of them i didnt even have to use a wrench to loosen. The thermostat caused my temp. guage to actually rise above cold and adjust properly letting me know that my cooling system is working properly. Changing the front brakes rebuilt the proper pressure in the brakes. As far as the gas guage intermittently working, I drove the truck for about 30 miles and it did not run hot at all, also not much oil smell either, as soon as I got close to my house again my gas guage started working, weird, I think its electrical. Anyways I have now sprayed my engine with cleaner and I will be able to track down any oil leaks in the gasket.

I read this forum religiously and had my laptop pulled up right next to my truck with it open the entire time I was working. This was my first repair work on my 4.0 that I have not had a shop do. I think I saved $400 on labor alone. WOW you guys are great. I now look forward to doing some mods to her.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[boggs1227]

something else to check for the fuel guage problem...check the driver side frame rail near the leaf spring s right near the gas tank...the electrical connector for the fuel pump may have a loose or bad pin in it..try to undo the connection and clean it and then reconnected it ...may clear the problem up .

 

[Shooter_68]

Thanks I will definitely try that.