89 Trouble

[BroncTrouble]

Hey all,

I just bought a 1989 Bronco with the 5.8 EFI. I bought it thinking the motor is about to give up the ghost. Meaning the truck has 120K miles on it and is very very doggie off the line. My 4 cylinder Subaru would kick this things butt. Anywho, after purchase I ran into the previous previous owner

 

[avatar]

1. Get a code scanner and run the codes -- psychic powers don't work on electronics. There is a cylinder balance feature that can give you an idea of cyl/injector/cam lobe/plug condition too.

2. Your timing may be off due to slip in the balancer. Try advancing the timing a bit until you get "ping" then back it off until no ping. If you're pretty far off the 10* mark your balancer may need replacing to show actual timing. On that old a Bronc a new balancer is a good idea anyway. You can feel a difference between 3*, 7*, 10*, 13* advance.

3. Check your fuel pressure -- check the range in a shop manual.

Check your cylinder pressure with a guage. My 302 was about 160psi on all cylinders about 80K ago.

You got me stumped about being under the hood and taking time for the rpms to rise if you manually work the throttle. Could be fuel related -- Pump(s), regulator, filter, lines.

 

[BroncTrouble]

1. Get a code scanner and run the codes -- psychic powers don't work on electronics. There is a cylinder balance feature that can give you an idea of cyl/injector/cam lobe/plug condition too.

2. Your timing may be off due to slip in the balancer. Try advancing the timing a bit until you get "ping" then back it off until no ping. If you're pretty far off the 10* mark your balancer may need replacing to show actual timing. On that old a Bronc a new balancer is a good idea anyway. You can feel a difference between 3*, 7*, 10*, 13* advance.

3. Check your fuel pressure -- check the range in a shop manual.

Check your cylinder pressure with a guage. My 302 was about 160psi on all cylinders about 80K ago.

You got me stumped about being under the hood and taking time for the rpms to rise if you manually work the throttle. Could be fuel related -- Pump(s), regulator, filter, lines.

OK...so I know I still have a ton of work to do but, I advanced the timing to about 13* from the 0* it was set at and HOLY COW. I think I still have some issues since now it idles at about 1100RPM but am very happy with the power she now makes.

 

[KJEfting]

I am having a near identical problem with my Bronco. Runs great, but not a lot of power. It's not burning any oil either. Idles a little shaky though. Is adjusting the timing really going to help it that much?

 

[BroncTrouble]

KJEfting,

It isnt perfect, but compared to what it was...Night and day difference.

I still have to have codes ran, and I also have some idle problems. Not to mention I am getting the impression that I have a timing problem (timing not advancing). Cant prove it yet but I am leaning toward that.......Take what I say and do with a grain of salt, as I am not a mechanic nor am I an expert. I only know what I read, hear and do.

I will keep this thread going and report things as I find them out...

BT out

 

[avatar]

I am having a near identical problem with my Bronco. Runs great, but not a lot of power. It's not burning any oil either. Idles a little shaky though. Is adjusting the timing really going to help it that much?

If your not running with as much advance as you can, yes timing makes a really noticeable difference in how your engine runs. Just don't let it ping. I blew the ring lands in an old pontiac 400 motor because of detonation. Almost 11:1 compression can pump oil out the dipstick tube using only one "dead hole (cylinder) b-(

I cn feel it advancing from 7 to 10 to 13*

After setting timing and putting the SPOUT back in check to see if the timing advances with engine speed. the ignition module may be suspect or you wires may be bad.

Check your IAC for the rough idle. Seems to be a common problem. Thanks to all the folk here at the Bronco Zone for clueing me onto that one.

Also the code scanner really is your best friend. >

 

[pureair23]

If your not running with as much advance as you can, yes timing makes a really noticeable difference in how your engine runs. Just don't let it ping. I blew the ring lands in an old pontiac 400 motor because of detonation. Almost 11:1 compression can pump oil out the dipstick tube using only one "dead hole (cylinder) b-(

I cn feel it advancing from 7 to 10 to 13*

After setting timing and putting the SPOUT back in check to see if the timing advances with engine speed. the ignition module may be suspect or you wires may be bad.

Check your IAC for the rough idle. Seems to be a common problem. Thanks to all the folk here at the Bronco Zone for clueing me onto that one.

Also the code scanner really is your best friend. >

This is good to know, I just bought a 89 XLT that is in perfect condition it seems like but just doesn't seem like I'm getting the power I should be from a 5.8. She get's a little shakey, not bad, when idleing. I just bought her so I still have to get the fluids changed and checked and run the codes, but it seems this is the same problem I'm having. I'm clueless when it comes to these things, this is the oldest thing I've owned, I'm a car guy, but I've always wanted one and when I saw this beauty I had to get her.

One other thing, when I'm warming her up to leave the house after she's been sitting a while, when I put it in R she drops in the rpm bad and sometimes stalls, this will also happen as I put it back in D from R, this doesn't happen after I've been driving around. Just wanted to know if this sounds like a problem or is this a warm her up longer deal.

Thanks.

First post, just found the site.

 

[BroncTrouble]

OK

 

[BroncTrouble]

Here is a pic of her...

31x10.5x15 Cooper SST...Love those tires, they leave a big trench

 

[firelt90bronco]

Did you replace all the fluids? Try a K&N intake or check your trans fluid. A gear oil change in your diff might also help.

 

[Seabronc]

Check this atricle in Ford Muscle Magazine about surging. Maybe it is your problem. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/01...pin/index.shtml

Good luck,

>-

 

[BroncTrouble]

Check this atricle in Ford Muscle Magazine about surging. Maybe it is your problem. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/01...pin/index.shtml

Good luck,

>-

Thanks, once I get back home I will have to see if my 5.8L has the same "salt and Pepper" connectors and give that a try...Thanks for the article $-)

 

[BroncTrouble]

Sad news

 

[Yardape]

The previous owner probably put thick oil in it to hide the knock