1997 xlt extra cab 5spd 2wd 4.0 sluggish

[Rick W]

HELP!!!

I need some help troubleshooting a lack of power in my Road Ranger. 1997 4.0 ohv

Let me first offer what I think is wrong with it. I did a little tuneup work, and then I ran some carb/injector cleaner through it, and I think crap broke loose and has fouled my injectors.

The whole story. Truck has run like new the whole time I’ve had it, about 30,000 miles. It has 320,000 on it. When I came back from Ford nationals (2,000 miles), I had a slight drop in power on the way home. 10% ? Nothing specific, I figured it just needed a tuneup.

Driver front plug was wobbly finger loose and I had thick soot in my left pipe. I replaced the plugs and the wires. Didn’t seem to make it difference. I ran a can of sea foam through a full tank of gas. Didn’t seem to make a difference.

I ran 8 ounces of carbiclean in 8 gallons of gas, drove 35 miles at highway speed to the cute little brunette‘s house, and a few few hours later drove 35 miles back at Highway speed. Then I let it sit a couple days.

Starts right up and purrs, but very low power if you hit the gas. Once it was moving, if you step down hard on the gas it initially runs smooth and then it bogs down like it is flooded or maybe like it isn’t getting enough fuel. If I pump the pedal fast, it will surge and smooth out but then bog down again when I step on the gas hard. It’s almost undrivable, and I can’t believe I have a serious mechanical problem. Again, I think the injectors are fouled.

I changed the fuel filter as an afterthought and I changed the PCV valve, that didn’t help.

After reading more stuff, sources say that the sea foam could loosen up crap that will hang in the injectors, and that the carbiclean is much better, but can also allow crud to hang up in the injectors. From the internet, I understand that BG 44K is it supposed to be a superior product that will actually dissolve the carbon and varnish, and hence clean out the injectors.

I bought a new set of injectors and upper intake gaskets, but that’s a pretty big job for me. I also bought a new ignition block where the plug wires go, but I haven’t put it on yet.

Should I try the BG 44K stuff?

Any and all suggestions are welcome, I’m kind of stumped.

 

[SenorNoob]

Have you pulled plugs since running the cleaner through it? If you have what did they look like? Was one significantly different?

I'm guessing you've done plug reading before?

 

[Rick W]

Have you pulled plugs since running the cleaner through it? If you have what did they look like? Was one significantly different?

I'm guessing you've done plug reading before?

Not yet, I was busy with @Peter_'86_2.9L_Auto ‘s truck and a few other things, but it was on my list.

 

[Uncle Gump]

What's your fuel pressure?

 

[Rick W]

What's your fuel pressure?

I was just debating if I should get a fuel rail pressure test kit. I found this one at Harbor freight for a reasonable price.

I’m looking for feedback, but again, I think my injectors are fouled. If I put this fuel tester on the Schrader valve on the fuel rail, that will tell me what the pressure is before the injector, but that won’t tell me if my injectors are fouled. Yes/no?

I’m never opposed to buying new tools, they will all go to my son in a few years, but I’m not sure if this will tell me about my problem.

 

[Uncle Gump]

OTC Tools 5630: Fuel Pressure Test Kit 0-100 psi - JEGS https://share.google/6ZiDdKjQRTSFyLmiz

I bought that one a year or two ago.

I'll just say this...

Checking for proper fuel pressure is a must for nearly every drivablity issue. It's also the easiest test to do. It may not tell you what is wrong... but it can positively tell you what it isn't.

 

[Rick W]

I’m leaning that way. Does anybody think the carb/injector cleaners could have messed up high mileage fuel pump?

I think I know the answer to most of these questions, but you guys just have more experience than I do, and if I’m going to dig on that thing, I want to go in as prepared as possible.

 

[sgtsandman]

I've never had a problem with fuel injector cleaners messing up the fuel pump, but I also follow the directions on the bottle and don't put it in until I'm at the fuel pump, ready to fill the tank.