I have a 1990 Dodge B250 with a 318. It's a camper van built out by Roadtrek. It is currently my home and I have been living in a mechanix shop parking lot for over a month now. I definitely need some help.

I can't drive it. It starts right up every time. It will idle fine. But put it in gear and give it a little gas and it chugs and jerks and wants to die (lean condition?). Have to play with the gas pedal to keep it running. But spray some starting fluid in the throttle body and it takes off. Seems worse on even the smallest incline. It also wants to stall out... and often does.

After a lot of checking things out we found I had some bad fuel (if I can figure out how to post a picture of the fuel I will). It was orange. Thought we had the problem solved but after draining the tank and fuel line and getting fresh gas the problem persisted. Actually got worse.

We have replaced a lot of parts. Nothing we do seems to work. We have replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, oxygen sensor, MAP sensor, throttle position sensor, vacuum lines, throttle body, fuel injectors, distributor cap, rotor, and I'm sure others that I'm forgetting right now. Oh, and have removed the catalytic converter and replaced the engine controller (computer).

We thought we had it solved a couple of times after replacing a part or doing something as it ran good for 10 or 20 miles but then went back to what it has been doing. Two mechanics here (I'm not) and both are competent but are at a loss at what it could be and don't know what else to do. The problems have gotten worse from when they first began.

Guys, I've been living in a parking lot for over a month now. I need to get out of here. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

I am not a mechanic, but I read a thread where the pressure regulator was the issue for this. Perhaps that?

 

Thanks for the reply RubyVanner. I apologize but I forgot to include that in the list of things we have replaced ( It's a long list... I knew I would forget something.). We have replaced the fuel pressure regulator and have checked the pressure more than once. Always where it should be... around 14.5 I think.

 

I know they did alot of changes between the years with the obd comin Into the scene but other than checking things like timing chain and compression my 96 Dakota ran like crap something similar to that but it was picking odd tines to act up . After a good tune up I got a code that called it a cam sensor , turned out there was a pickup under the distributor . Just a flat disk with a wire coming out. Between the cap , if you have one om that year it's a good place to start . Auto zone shows it as a disk like a spacer and it has no wires attached . Do not get that one, I'm not sure what the actual name is for the part as they looked at me like I was crazy when I said the cam sensor for a 96 . I believe Nappa called it a magnetic pickup and had one. Good luck man !
Also my 96 2500 with a 318 has one , replaced it as soon as I got the van

 

Thanks for the input Eric Hursh. Timing chain was looked at and was good. I had a compression test done last year and it was excellent... all within a couple of points of 160. I'm not a mechanic and know nothing of a cam sensor but will ask the guys here about it. Thanks again.



Image of the fuel we drained from the tank

 

I am trying to follow along in case I need to do this since I have a model similar to Eric's. If I am understanding this correctly it is this part:

Although it may be part #4379488 for you vehicle, there are two kinds for that year model
and it is #15 in this diagram:

Hopefully I am on the right track and this will help your mechanic find the right part.

 

To me it sound like the firing order is off. Was the distributor lifted and dropped back in at any point in time?
You checked compression last year, what about now? Something could've happened since it was last checked.

Since you're not living in a house...if you're comfortable posting your general location (state and town) followed by an exact location in a PM should someone inquire, then perhaps someone on this forum is close to you and can help.

 

That is the part , depending on the type, mine was the under the rotor type compared to the other view that is under the distributor. The initial problem was Auto Zone carrying ones that are basically a spacer with no leads attached. The counter person assured me there was no electrical connection and even pulled one from the shelf to show me it looked just like the exploded view on his screen with no leads .
Nappa looked at me odd when I told them what I was looking for then he said oh ya the pick up , they go bad all the time and threw me the same part that was on my truck with the plug.
when that thing was bad the truck woukd idle decebt and even cruise decent but any ramp or hill it wiuld miss or a a quick acceleration. seemed to get better after a tune up but started again after a few days right back to where it was. I coukd not get a code out of it until it finally would not stay running at all. I did not have my reader with me and did the key dance, I cannot remember the number but it was a combo I believe cam/crank sensor. The crank sensor was more expensive so I started with the pickup. No problems in well over a year,improved idle as well. Before it woukd only idle at around 500 and seem to want to stall at tines. Actually thought the low idle might have been q different issue like an injector
Don't know of this is your problem as well but I'm sure there is a way of testing that piece that soneone might know on here, I happened to be so frustrated I started throwing parts at it. Definitely worth lookin at . I belive the new one was 20 bucks
One more thing I remember is when I got the truck someone had just gutted the cat , they took the harder way at guessing but it sire ran like it had a plugged cat so I won't judge lol

 

Truly appreciate everyone's response. I ask the mechanic about the cam sensor. He said we did change it... they called it the pickup. I'm glad it worked out for you Eric but yeah, no such luck here. And thank you Ruby for finding and posting the diagram - I appreciate it.

Never moved the distributor but we did change the cap and rotor. Just now looked to make sure the firing order was correct and it is.

I'm in a small town in Nevada. Right now I feel a bit uneasy to say exactly where. Will give that some more thought. Thank you for the offer.

Oh, and re: the cat. In my case the mechanic was quite sure that wasn't it. He said they will usually rattle or make a noise. Or pretty much a sure fire way is to use a temp gun and check the temp. If there is a blockage it will usually show as a cold spot. Mine was the same temp throughout. But we took it off just to be sure.

Thanks again for the responses. If anyone has anything else to add please do so. I appreciate it.

 

What codes? No mention of codes...

edit; also this



Not saying that's your problem. I have the defective throttle body and while it does cause hot start issues, it's not like you describe.

Just food for thought.