1989 Dodge Van Engine

Tiny
BIGBESSIETHELOVEVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 DODGE VAN
  • 89,000 MILES
Greetings, I have an 1989 Dodge ram custom conversion van that I bought a few years back from the original owner. She only had about 87,000 original miles on her because she sat in one place a lot, he used it for camping only. I bought her 3 or 4 years back and after I took care of several issues, belts, hoses, plugs, wires, a/c system and pump, EGR pump, etc, she has been running like a champ and I really enjoy her. However, I have had an issue with the plugs fouling because she burns oil, so I generally have to replace them about once a year when she starts to run a little rough and that has solved the problem in the past. This time though, when I replaced the plugs (because of rough idle), I test drove her, she performed like a champ, took her on the freeway for a good 30 min. Test drive and everything was good. The rough idle was gone and she picked up and went really well as she always had. I took her home, parked her, the idle was smooth, life was good. Then when I went to start her this morning she almost wouldn't start, idled really rough, stalled at stop lights, became really hard to re-start, blows smoke and broke my heart. I have no idea what could have happened to her just being parked overnight to make her run so miserably. Any ideas? I am leaning perhaps toward a vacuum problem (as most of the rubber in her, when I bought her, was bad from sitting so much before I bought her.) And I have not replaced the vacuum tubing? And would that really make her run so horribly? I really would appreciate ANY suggestions or help anyone can offer. I am a little desperate as I am far from home (so I don't have all my tools, just a small set I carry in her for emergencies.) And light on cash. Thank you in advance for any help anyone can offer. PLEASE HELP! I'm stranded and it's my birthday.
Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 2:45 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You can check for a vacuum leak check for soft or broken hoses and also check fuelpressure if it's fuel injected. It may be low or a plugged fuel filter. Then check the ignition stuff like cap wires etc.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
BIGBESSIETHELOVEVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you,
Hmac300 went over the vac. Sys. (I don't have my gauge with me.) Seems o.K, what do you think of it possibly being the fuel pump? I replaced the fuel filter about 8 months ago, it still had the original one on it! But I have noticed a slight odor of fuel at the rear of the vehicle after filling and traveling. Possible? I don't have my gauge to check fuel pressure, or is there another way to check that without dropping the fuel tank? Also, ignition seems fine, but I don't have my multimeter with me to test it thoroughly. Thank you so much for the quick response!
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Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
BIGBESSIETHELOVEVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hmac300,
I am asking about the possibility of it being the fuel pump. I noticed I left that out. Thanks.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
BIGBESSIETHELOVEVAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Also it is throttle body fuel injected.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Pump pressure should be 13.5-15.5 if tbi if mpfi then 46-50 psi auto parts rent gauges. But with tbi you may need an adapter.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2013 AT 4:25 PM

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