89 T-bird hard to start

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Harry in Iowa - 21 Aug 2004 22:29 GMT

Howdy all ford experts and shade tree mechanics,

I have a 89 T-bird, 3.8 auto, MPFI. Starts hard, smokes when it does
start, smell of gasoline in exaust. So it appears to be getting fuel, not
spark. Replaced spark plugs and wires, new rotor. Now it is slow to reduce
engine speed after you let off the gas. It makes this honking noise in the
intake when I shut if down. Makes the same honking noise the whole time
when I run it without the MAF sensor conneted. Being a shade tree mechanic
I resist the urge to take into the shop and sign a blank check.

Any ideas?

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Harry

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Thomas Moats - 23 Aug 2004 22:13 GMT

> Howdy all ford experts and shade tree mechanics,
>
> I have a 89 T-bird, 3.8 auto, MPFI. Starts hard, smokes when it does
> start, smell of gasoline in exaust.

It starts, so you have spark.

> So it appears to be getting fuel, not
> spark.

Good strong possibility you have too much.

>Replaced spark plugs and wires, new rotor. Now it is slow to reduce
> engine speed after you let off the gas. It makes this honking noise in the
> intake when I shut if down. Makes the same honking noise the whole time
> when I run it without the MAF sensor conneted. Being a shade tree mechanic
> I resist the urge to take into the shop and sign a blank check.

Being a "shade tree mechanic" the clues are clear; so you should know what to
do. Check fuel pressure, in other words go over the basics. Engine mechanical,
ignition timing, fuel pressure.

> Any ideas?

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Backyard Mechanic - 25 Aug 2004 23:24 GMT

good ol' Thomas!

hey, Harry... get Probst's book on eecIV and read it front to back, till you
know it better than you would a carb. Once you do, you wont ever think
carb's are simple again.

Your problem is probably either the ECT or the FPR (fuel pressure reg)... bad
as symptom is, the bad FPR will probably be leaking gas into the manifold vac
line.

The tipoff is if it starts pretty quick if you hold pedal to floor while
cranking.

Dunno what the honking is about... but i'll bet it's moot.

oh... and you DO have spark, obviously

>> Howdy all ford experts and shade tree mechanics,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> what to do. Check fuel pressure, in other words go over the basics.
> Engine mechanical, ignition timing, fuel pressure.

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Harry in Iowa - 28 Aug 2004 13:24 GMT

> good ol' Thomas!
>
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>> what to do. Check fuel pressure, in other words go over the basics.
>> Engine mechanical, ignition timing, fuel pressure.

Bit the bullet and took it to the shop. And yes, it was the fuel pressure
regulator that failed. Thanks for the feedback and the tip on the book.
That sounds like one I need in the library.

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Harry in Iowa

Still wondering why I'm so bored.

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