My 1987 Mustang LX 2.3 will crank up & run idle all day but goes dead in drive..
What is your question?
She sat up in grandma's garage for 15 years, got her running so smoothly then started acting up like there's a vacuum leak, she will crank up and run at idle all day (run roughly though) but as soon as I put her in gear she goes dead everytime.. oil was changed (old oil was fine, no mixing of oil and water), she never ran hot on me.. I've had several people look at her, I've heard change plugs n wires again, blown head gasket, vacuum leak, and so on.. The blown head gasket everyone thinks is questionable because the oil is fine and she never ran hot.. I'm in a bad dilemma as a single mom of 3 my funds are limited but desperately need to be back on the road again or break grandma's heart and sell her for a dependable mechanically sound ride. Hope I can find answers here, I'd be tremendously grateful and appreciate it very much for any insight that could be given!! Have a wonderful day! Btw on the next page 1990 is the earliest year to choose from or can't submit but mine is a 1987 Ford Mustang LX Convertible 2.3
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Hello,
What happens if you put it in drive and try to accelerate before it dies?
Also, there are a lot of issues that come from storing a vehicle for 15 years. Deterioration of many rubber and plastic components is only the beginning, and corrosion of metal parts is almost guaranteed.
Unless the garage was temperature controlled, there is a high chance that you will need to put in some extra work on the vehicle.
All of the vacuum lines should be replaced one by one.
The distributor and distributor rotor should be inspected and cleaned or replaced.
The fuel should be drained and replaced, and the fuel filter should be replaced as well.
All fluids and filters should be changed: engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, differential, power steering, air filter
Once these maintenance items are done, a complete inspection of the vehicle should be done as well.
If you have issues after completing all maintenance, begin diagnosing vacuum leaks first by spraying a mist of air around the engine until you find a place that causes the engine speed and sound to change. There is likely a vacuum leak at that location.
