1990 f-150
4.9
e40d

just replaced fuel pump, filter, tps and fuel pressure regulator

 

Some things that I thought. First, I don't think your battery gauge should be moving that much. How's the alternator? Also, white smoke usually means coolant in the cylinder (head gasket) but I'm no expert. You might research that a little more.

 

Generally, blue smoke is oil, black smoke is fuel, white smoke is coolant. If you have white smoke, a compression test and a cooling system pressure test are in order. They would tell you a lot

 

Pull your codes, there is a sticky on the top of this forum for how to do it, just takes a paper clip if you have a Check Engine light that works. Do a compression test on your cylinders. Could be low/no compression in one or more cylinders, or a bad ignition coil. Don't throw parts at it though, if the codes don't lead you anywhere get a volt meter and start testing parts, ensuring that they are getting and sending properly. Like VM said white smoke points to having a gasket problem, you can borrow a tester from auto store (have to pay a few bucks for the fluid that it uses) and test your coolant system for exhaust gasses (called a block test).

As for the crazy battery gauge (this could also be causing some of your issues) I would go through and clean all of your ground points really good, sand down the bolt/eyelet/frame making sure they are shiny. Also ensure proper connections, check for loose/broken/worn wires, clean all ignition related connectors with Quick Drying Electronic Clean.


Start with pulling codes, then compression and block test, then wires and connections.

 

Thank you all for the advice, I started with the easy things first and re did all the grounds in the truck, now its running better than it ever has. I havent taken it around the block but i drove it around the backyard a few times and it seems to be fine, no smoke or anything. Only a sweet smell, like cinnamon or candy or something.

I thought it was a head gasket but he truck hasnt ran antifreeze in years (i live in the south, not too cold at all down here). I know antifreeze has a sweet smell when the head gasket is bad but what about just regular water? I'm also losing coolant(water) but I have no leak, which also leads me to believe its the head gasket but there's no smoke and its running great, any ideas?

 

evap can,purge canister valve or gas cap. Could be just water in the gas tank 4 the wht smoke. Sounds like ur running rich, pull vac and plugs and tell us what color the plugs are. All this work being done and u have not pull codes yet? Eye can`t afford 2 throw good parts in the trash.

 

Power steering fluid also has a "sweet" smell when burnt, you may have a small leak dripping onto exhaust manifold. If you are loosing coolant (water, whatever) and it's not hitting the ground then you def. have a bad gasket. With just water it is hard to notice a slow drip, no residue/stain left, and can evap quickly in the southern heat.