2004 4.0 problem

[Pwwilson]

Bought a 2004 ranger 4x4 auto a month ago. Thing ran great until this morning. It is cold here (-20 C). On my way to work it died. Wont idle properly, hovers around 500 rpm according to the tsch and eventually dies. Giving it gas it seems to be sputtering. Figure I have ice in the lines. Put a couple bottles of de-icer in at lunch and let it sit till after work. Issue still exists. Any suggestions on where to start troubleshooting? There doesnt seem to be any exhaust restrictions. When in drive it sputters and doesnt have enough power to even move before it dies.

 

[Pwwilson]

Update: it's almost like the fuel pedal isnt connected. If I pump the pedal quickly it will stay running for but it's missing and farting and stuff..

 

[G8orFord]

First guess is the fuel pump itself. Fuel filter second, could be frozen. Pouring something in the tank is not going to clear the lines and filter. You need to check fuel pressure.

I'm from Florida though, so probably not the best guy to help you diagnose it.

 

[Josh B]

I'd start with the fuel filter, it's lots easier

 

[Pwwilson]

Update. It warmed up ahove freezing last night so went to the truck (it was still at the grocery store where it died) hoped in turned the key and it started right up and idled properly and even took a couple pumps of the pedal. Traffic was light so figured I would try to drive it home. It worked well other than a new little stumble when accelerating from a dead stop.

 

[8thTon]

Are you using E10 fuel? If so you may have got a batch that was saturated with water. The ethanol will absorb the water but the amount it can hold in solution will depend on temperature - as the temperature dropped the water may have separated from the fuel.

 

[Pwwilson]

Not sure if its E10 or E15 but the low grade definately has corn in it...

 

[sgtsandman]

Avoid E15 if at all possible. Your truck wasn't designed for it and it will cause problems later on. Stick with E10 or less. If you are fortunate enough to live where they offer straight gasoline at a decent price, jump on it!