What is making my truck run too rich?

[chips2481]

I have had a problem with my truck burning too rich al winter long. When I first start the truck up it will smoke until I drive it for about 15 minutes. I would get normal gas mileage on the freeway but when I am stoping and going it would get about 12mpg. Now that it is warm again it has stopped smoking all together except for a little bit when I start it the first time each day. In the winter I had replaced the fuel filter and did a tune up. Next I replaced the fuel regulator which helped a little but it still smoked and didn't get good mileage. Since the air tempature is affecting it could that mean it is the oxygen sensor or some kind of other sensor?

 

[Mbrooks420]

What color is the smoke? Are you sure it isn't water vapor? How many miles? How do the plugs look?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Does it smell like gasoline? If so, maybe the fuel pressure regulator or ECT sensor are out of spec.

 

[chips2481]

It smells like gas. Where is the ECT sensor located on the engine, I will replace that next.

There is only 98k miles and I just did a complete tune up in jan. The smoke is white. I have a video in this thread
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210103

 

[BrooklynBay]

This troubleshooting chart is in # 25 in my list of useful threads:

Pull off the vacuum line from the fuel pressure regulator, and see if there is any gasoline in it. Test the fuel pressure with a gauge before replacing any parts.

 

[chips2481]

I know that the fuel regulator doesn't leak but it does take longer than it should to start the truck. I had gotten the regulator used. Where is the ECT located?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Look at the top front part of the engine. It has 2 wires plugging into it.

 

[chips2481]

Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

This link has some information: http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=28

 

[tripley]

My milage is bad on my 1990 Ranger with 2.3 4 banger. Check engine light is on and reader shows a code 51 ECT malfunction/open circuit. My problem is that I can't find the ECT on this engine. Clinton's says it's on the thermostat housing. Not there. I did find the sender for the temperature guage. Changed that out. Is my girlfriend right that I need glasses?
Tom

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! This link should help you: http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/19/4e/ca/0900823d80194eca.jsp

 

[tripley]

As luck would have it, the 1990 was wierd. I was able to find the ECT sensor, but it was under the bottom of the lower manifold in the center. I quickly discovered that my friend who helped me put in the new long block had managed to break one of the connecting wires. There is a special connection socket for the ECT. I managed to get test wires temporarily onto the ECT. Suddenly no check engine light!
Thnks for your help.
Tom