1989 XLT, 4 Cyl 2.3L automatic w/od, 130,000 miles

This truck starts and runs good for the most part but at certain times it sputters when pressed past 35mph sometimes backfiring and if the pedal is pressed beyond 35mph it almost sounds like the engine shuts off - it doesn't though and when the pedal is let up it will resume at 35 with no problems. Other times it will be very difficult to start even when warm and shut off for a few minutes, turning the key 3 or 4 times to let the fuel pump prime seemed to have solved that.

I changed the fuel filter located on the frame under driver seat area, ran 2 cans of seafoam and other cleaners through the gas tank. The problem can happen cold right out of the drive or warm after 15 miles. The fuel gauge never worked when I bought it so just kept filling it up using the trip meter, that's when I noticed it almost exclusively happens when I have 100 miles on a full tank about 6 gallon usage, if I fill up before that it doesn't seem to happen.

I have read the ranger forum back 3 years gleaning all kinds of info from O2 sensor to fuel pump assembly in the tank, the tank looks like a real pain to drop and removing the bed is not an option, I tried to get a siphon hose into the filler neck but even a small hard plastic one will not go in.

Any advice or suggestions?

 

Couple of items..

Have you checked the actual fuel pressure that the pump is producing? If not, I would place a pressure gauge on the schrader valve located on the fuel rail. Also, at 130,000 miles, have you had the timing belt replaced? It's possible that you slipped a tooth or two affecting the timing causing the various cold and warm starting/drivability, back-fire issues.