Sounds like popcorn popping in my exhaust Bank 1

[BL00DPIG]

1997 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 OHV (VIN:X) Mileage:254,000

I had the head gaskets, fuel injectors, alternator, battery ,and coil pack and fuel filter replaced back in November 2018.

Starting about April (2019), it has become hard to start in the mornings. I have to let it turn over a few times...stop...and try again. It immediately starts the second try.
After reaching warmup temps, it would start to "miss" or "stutter" until I drove her a few miles then it would clear up.
I should have gotten her looked at then but no codes where showing and I honestly thought I had more time to get her looked at before I drove her again.

Yesterday a friend's truck broke down while trying to pull his boat out of the water. He called me and I went down with the ole girl and pulled his truck (boat and all) up the ramp into the parking lot. I noticed it took ALOT of effort to pull them out, more than it should have anyway.
On the way home the check engine light came on. The code pulled was P0420.

Since this code pertains to the cat, used my infrared therm to check it. The intake is around 350 and the outlet is around 150. I am assuming the cat is clogged due to the head gasket leak.
Now the engine is "missing" "stuttering" really bad.

I took both O2 sensor out above the cat to relieve some pressure to see if the "miss" would go away, thinking the clogged cat may be causing back pressure. It did not go away. The best way to describe it is, it sounds like popcorn.
It does seem to be only coming from the Bank 1 side. exhaust.

Keep in mind when listening to the mp3 that the O2 sensors are removed. I do not have an exhaust leak as it may sound like it.

Movie_Maker_6-24-2019_83158_AM_High.mp3

drive.google.com

Any ideas on where to start?

 

[86merc5.0]

I had a 96 Ranger 4.0 ohc, I put a turbo mounted in the bed over the axle ( factory exhaust was cut were factory routing put it over the axle--front of bed had an under rail tool box--reconnected to factory exhaust after axle ) anyway on a highspeed blast I did pop a headgasket & it sounded like that, I've also heard that sound and it was valve issue. Good luck I hope it's not to bad.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Are you both sure you have SOHC engines... I think they would be OHV.

A lean condition will cause the popcorn popping sound you describe...

 

[BL00DPIG]

I do have have the OHV model as stated in my post.

What would cause the lean condition?

 

[Denisefwd93]

start with the cat! maybe the cat element is working like a check valve & rattling..as you got a cat code P0420. I don't know, others would probably address this, but removing sensors may not relieve enough pressure and the sensors wouldn't get hot either. Jussayn...

 

[adsm08]

1997 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 OHC (VIN:X) Mileage:254,000



Any ideas on where to start?

I do have have the OHV model as stated in my post.

No you didn't.

 

[BL00DPIG]

I had changed it twice...chill man.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Some some of the functions of this forum software are a bit difficult to use, like edit, and I just recently found out the delete function is missing.

But it's magically back on this thread but not on my threads I get real confused maybe, I'm just getting too old for all this stuff, screenshots don't lie

 

[Uncle Gump]

A common cause would be a partially plugged fuel injector...

Lean mixtures are hard to lite... if the ignition doesn't get it going in the combustion chamber... that lean mixture is expelled into the exhaust. The still burning exhaust from a companion cylinder will lite it that unburned fuel and cause a pop.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

A little off the rails; Back in my youth when cars had carbs, I used to shut the engine off for a few seconds while passing a pedestrian. When I turned the key back on the car would have an enormous backfire....scaring the bejesus out of the innocent. One too many times and blew the muffler apart. That got too expensive.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

A little off the rails; Back in my youth when cars had carbs, I used to shut the engine off for a few seconds while passing a pedestrian. When I turned the key back on the car would have an enormous backfire....scaring the bejesus out of the innocent. One too many times and blew the muffler apart. That got too expensive.

I used to do the same with my 86 Ranger 2.0 5spd. Shut it off and pump the pedal as fast as I could. Then turn it back on, pop the clutch, and POW!! I blew a canister muffler and about 2 or 3ft of exhaust pipe in half doing it once, but it was worth it for the prank. lol Did it while crossing a bridge with high concrete sides while a local girl I was hot for was coming the other direction. I timed it to POP right when she passed by with her windows down. She pulled over thinking she blew a tire or something, and here comes yours truly in an extremely loud Ranger with the exhaust dragging down the highway to help a distressed young maiden. My own backfiring plan backfired on me, because I certainly didn't get in them draws..

 

[Uncle Gump]

My own backfiring plan backfired on me, because I certainly didn't get in them draws..

I always found that Tequila worked wonders for a way into her heart.... errr ummmm… draws.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I always found that Tequila worked wonders for a way into her heart.... errr ummmm… draws.

But in today's day and age, you have to have her sign a consent form to stay legal and still get laid.

https://eforms.com/images/2017/08/Sexual-Consent-Form-791x1024.png

 

[Uncle Gump]

Ummm…. been married to long to know about those things.

As stated above... a rich mixture will burn also... expect a bigger bang.

Neither are good for the cats...

If you suspect a plugged cat... put a vacuum gauge on it. It will tell you if it's true.

I would then probably start by taking a fuel pressure reading... then go from there.

As mighty as the Ranger is... pulling a dead Chevy truck (I presume) and a boat up out of a boat launch... depending what it looks like... could be a test.

 

[BL00DPIG]

OK. I was going to go buy a vacuum gauge this morning.
While waiting for the store to open, I decided to test the MAF sensor per these instructions: https://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford/4.9L-5.0L-5.8L/maf-sensor-tests-3

I followed these instructions to the letter and I got no reading whatsoever on my multimeter.