Hi, when i start my 1990 f150 there is a ticking sound comming from the fuel rail or behind the intakemanafold. the idle is very rough and sometimes it dies i have no idea what could be wrong because when i drive the let it idle again it is fine any suggestions will help please

thanks mason

 

Sounds like there may be more than one problem at work here. The ticking sound may very well be a lifter gone bad. Others here may have some better insight into that problem.

Regarding the idle problem, when was the last time the throttle body was removed and given a good cleaning with Throttle body cleaner? The idle on my 2000 goes high when it gets dirty. A good cleaning always solves the problem.

How old is the fuel filter? What condition are the plugs, wires, cap and rotor in?

Just some questions to start the diagnosis.

Hunt4Fun

 

i took my throttle body off and cleaned it out there was a lot of carbon built up in there so i cleaned it. I dont know how old the plugs are but its all in good condition i havent changed my fuel filter in a while so i better get on that.

 

Which engine does it have?

 

5.0 302 4 wd

 

I had a completely rebuilt 302 that did that. It was the EGR valve on the back of the engine behind the carb. I took a screw and plugged the vacuum line to the EGR, and it worked fine until I could replace it.

 

My Guess is the EGR valve. My truck started running real bad at idle. Sounded like it had a huge cam and carb in it. Really lumped up. After a couple hours of driving it the Check Engine Light came on. Changed EGR and the idle smoothed out and the CEL went off. Be careful if you do change it. the bolts can and will break. Ask me how I know. Good luck



Scott

 

thanks guys i will change my egr then get back results