[Trailduster_Rulz]

My Friend has a 88 ram with a 318 TBI motor. I installed a reman motor just under 20K miles ago. all of the sudden the last week it has been running rich and tends to die out when coming to stops or when you put it into gear. I have checked all the obvious, timming, vacuum leaks, fuel pressure etc. the O2 is stuck full rich until you go above 1K RPM and then it becomes active and seems to be working. The truck runs great at cruising speeds down the highway but is using a little more gas than normal, it just seems to be tempermental at idle and when coming to a stop.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Kaare

 

[Ram-Rod]

I don't have alot of experience on these engine
but sound like it might be the map sensor
the oxygen sensor is compensating for map sensor
not working properly.

Is he getting error codes?

 

[Trailduster_Rulz]

no codes are appearing. I watched all the sensors on a scan tool and they all appear to be working right even the map sensor. although the throttle body temp sensor once it picks a temp it never changes unless you shut the vehicle off and then you start it again then it will change.

 

[Trailduster_Rulz]

fixed it! EGR Valve was hanging up and sticking on. Blocked it off and everything is O.K.

 

[geronimo]

Same thing I did with my 88 rc when it was hesitating off idle. Is there any long term negative effects from blocking off the EGR?

 

[BrianT]

not really maybe a faster build up of carbon in the heads is about it .

 

[Ramchargin88]

If you have to get your emissions inspected, blocked-off EGR will cause an increase in your NOx emissions. It may or may not fail you on the NOx or the visual. Be sure it's cleaned out well and your cooling system is operating properly and you should be fine.

Also, without EGR the engine will be more prone to pinging with low-grade fuel under high load at high temperatures. Keep an eye on it and adjust timing/fuel quality as required.

 

[CJ's84RC]

How did you block of the EGR? did you remove the valve and install a plate, or did you just disconnect the vacuum hoses? My 88 seems to have the same problem; won't idle right and wants to die when in gear. Also, when I start mine it surges for a couple of seconds before the idle evens out. Did yours have that problem too?
Thanks,
C.J.

 

[Trailduster_Rulz]

I just stuck a BB or needle roller bearing in the vacuum hose to shut of the vacuum suppl;y to the EGR valve. You can then leave the vacuum lines connected to give the appearance that it is fully functional. This truck did seem to search a little for idle but it wouldn't do it all the time.