89' ram van starving for gas
Asked by me_ Jul 27, 2013 at 08:34 AM about the 1989 Dodge RAM Van
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have an 89 dodge ram van with 318. For the past year I've been having problems it
won't go any faster than 25 miles per hour if I try to give it more gas you cut out and
die. I don't even attempt to go uphill any more. Clearly the engine is starving for fuel
the question is why?!? I've dropped the gas tank twice and completely cleaned it, it's
plastic so there's definitely no rust. I removed the electric fuel pump that was in the
tank and added an inline one instead so I wouldn't have to drop the tank every time
there was a problem. I've blown out the lines several times and I put a fuel filter before
and after the fuel pump in line. It runs for couple of days but then the problems start all
over again. I've even tried bypassing the gas tank completely by using a new 5 gallon
gas can but that didn't help either. I have also disconnected the fuel line after the fuel
pump and just ran the pump. Well, there is plenty of gas coming out the line. So now
I'm out of ideas. What is next? Need some help. Thanks a million .
7 Answers
Yeah, fuel pressure is fine . But it's throttle body not quite fuel injection.
If it's anything like my '89 Dodge Ram Van B250 with the 318 it might be the emissions systems. I have an air pump with a faulty O2 sensor and it does the exact same thing yours does. I realize this question was posted nearly 2 years ago but I'm including this in case anyone else stumbles across this. I'm hoping just replacing the air pump (the one in front attached to the emissions systems under the hood) will fix the problem but as of this writing I haven't actually made that repair yet.
It's the fuel pump it's always the fuel pump you have to put in the right one not some Mickey Mouse s***. Just because gas comes out doesn't mean it's developing the 45 to 50 lb of pressure needed for the injectors
Whitguyhot answered 6 years ago
Look I know these are all old questions and answers but I'm telling you if you listen to what the guys saying he's telling you he had the problem before he changes fuel pump not after so therefore if the problem is still there it's not part of the problem okay so quit telling him it's the fuel pump or the coil or whatever he's it's not the problem he has a problem before he changes fuel pump he's tried everything over his giving him a correct answer in the idiot that says it's the fuel and it's the air pump whenever the air pump you can take that thing off and throw it away and it still run better okay there's two of them off the vehicle still run better all those ideas you guys aren't listening to what he's saying when you find out what the problem is please post it so I can figure it out I'll let you guys know
smith3122565 answered 5 years ago
I'm having the same problem, got an 88 dodge b250( first year they did electric fuel pump). Still under investigation and head scratching. Bought the van and was told needed new fuel pump. Therefore I replaced the fuel pump, rubber lines, fuel filter. Also cleaned the 2 injectors on the TBI carb. It runs, but same issues, stumbles and hesitates under load, then tested the fuel pressure relief by pinching the return hose in which I noticed a big difference in idle... so replaced the fuel pressure regulator... same issue.. OK CAUGHT UP SO, my theory is that the fuel pump I purchased maybe isnt powerful enough... did research, and found out there is 2 options at autozone, Delphi and spectra. I originally bought the delphi bc it came with the gasket for the whole sending unit. BUT its max free flow rate is 32 gph VS the spectra which is a whopping 49.5 gph. Also the max pressure range for delphi is 30 psi( which goes to your regulator then to your injectors, and excess fuel goes to the return. The spectra is 58psi. So I would reccomend switching them out or find out what pump you bought. And btw that guy was right.
I had a similar problem with a different vehicle. The cadalidic converter was stopped up. Just a thought.
