IronHorseDriver
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Automatic
Hey Folks,
The Vehicle: 2003 Ford Ranger Edge, 4.0 SOHC
The Question: There is a port on the forward right side (passenger side) of the intake plenum (manifold) where the PCV elbow and hose is attached (the PCV valve is on the rear of the left valve cover). Should I get full engine vacuum (18-20") at this port?
The Background and Analysis: I rebuilt this engine last year. It ran fine for about 1200 miles (no Check Engine Lights) then suddenly, early on New Year's morning, the lower O ring on one of the injectors failed, causing the injector to drop lower into the port in the head, causing a loss of fuel pressure and fuel spillage at the top where the injector is attached into the fuel rail. The engine shut down. a fair bit of fuel spilled, but I was able to get it started and limp off the expressway into a parking lot. Two days later, I went out to the vehicle, removed the intake plenum to access the fuel rails and injectors, and I replaced all O rings on the injectors. Given my less-than-ideal working environment (a parking lot in 30 degree weather), rather than completely remove the plenum, I kept the PCV hose and the coolant lines that attach to this port attached and just swung the plenum out of the way. While it was up and out of the way, a couple of ounces of oil spilled out of the plenum ports for the #1 and #2 cylinder. When I was finished replacing the O rings, I reinstalled the injectors and rails, reinstalled the plenum, started it up, and got it home. About a day later, the Check Engine Light (CEL) came on, and it showed a P0172 code (Bank 2 system too lean). Then, a couple of days later it showed both P0172 and P0171 (Bank 1 system too lean). The vacuum gauge showed 18" of manifold vacuum.
While in my troubleshooting, I pulled the PCV hose off of the port where it attaches at the manifold. As soon as I pulled it off, I noticed that there seemed to be full vacuum at that port, and the engine died instantly. Hence my question for this forum, since I am not sure if it is supposed to have full vacuum there.
A week later, while the truck was in my garage, I checked the PCV hose and elbows, and as a precaution I replaced both the hoses, the elbows, and the PCV valve. Prior to replacing the hoses and elbows, I removed the intake again to check for loose or missing gaskets, but they seemed to be OK. I reinstalled everything again, but that damned CEL came on again, this time only showing a P0171 code (Bank 1 system too lean). The engine runs fine.
Since the weather is supposed to be relatively warm this weekend, I plan on removing the plenum again, this time completely removing it, so I can check for possible cracks in the plenum. or a gasket that is not seated.
Although the P0171 code can have several causes, I am suspecting a vacuum leak because, when I first ran the engine after rebuild last summer, I had a vacuum tester on it and it read 20". Now it is only reading 18.
The reason I asked the question about the port for the PCV valve is because I am wondering whether there is supposed to be a restrictor in that port (or in the plenum where the port connects) to prevent full engine vacuum from developing in the PCV hose assembly. If there is supposed to be something of that sort, then it is possible that it got knocked out of the way or broken when I pulled the intake while fixing the truck in the parking lot.
Thanks to all for your advice.
The Vehicle: 2003 Ford Ranger Edge, 4.0 SOHC
The Question: There is a port on the forward right side (passenger side) of the intake plenum (manifold) where the PCV elbow and hose is attached (the PCV valve is on the rear of the left valve cover). Should I get full engine vacuum (18-20") at this port?
The Background and Analysis: I rebuilt this engine last year. It ran fine for about 1200 miles (no Check Engine Lights) then suddenly, early on New Year's morning, the lower O ring on one of the injectors failed, causing the injector to drop lower into the port in the head, causing a loss of fuel pressure and fuel spillage at the top where the injector is attached into the fuel rail. The engine shut down. a fair bit of fuel spilled, but I was able to get it started and limp off the expressway into a parking lot. Two days later, I went out to the vehicle, removed the intake plenum to access the fuel rails and injectors, and I replaced all O rings on the injectors. Given my less-than-ideal working environment (a parking lot in 30 degree weather), rather than completely remove the plenum, I kept the PCV hose and the coolant lines that attach to this port attached and just swung the plenum out of the way. While it was up and out of the way, a couple of ounces of oil spilled out of the plenum ports for the #1 and #2 cylinder. When I was finished replacing the O rings, I reinstalled the injectors and rails, reinstalled the plenum, started it up, and got it home. About a day later, the Check Engine Light (CEL) came on, and it showed a P0172 code (Bank 2 system too lean). Then, a couple of days later it showed both P0172 and P0171 (Bank 1 system too lean). The vacuum gauge showed 18" of manifold vacuum.
While in my troubleshooting, I pulled the PCV hose off of the port where it attaches at the manifold. As soon as I pulled it off, I noticed that there seemed to be full vacuum at that port, and the engine died instantly. Hence my question for this forum, since I am not sure if it is supposed to have full vacuum there.
A week later, while the truck was in my garage, I checked the PCV hose and elbows, and as a precaution I replaced both the hoses, the elbows, and the PCV valve. Prior to replacing the hoses and elbows, I removed the intake again to check for loose or missing gaskets, but they seemed to be OK. I reinstalled everything again, but that damned CEL came on again, this time only showing a P0171 code (Bank 1 system too lean). The engine runs fine.
Since the weather is supposed to be relatively warm this weekend, I plan on removing the plenum again, this time completely removing it, so I can check for possible cracks in the plenum. or a gasket that is not seated.
Although the P0171 code can have several causes, I am suspecting a vacuum leak because, when I first ran the engine after rebuild last summer, I had a vacuum tester on it and it read 20". Now it is only reading 18.
The reason I asked the question about the port for the PCV valve is because I am wondering whether there is supposed to be a restrictor in that port (or in the plenum where the port connects) to prevent full engine vacuum from developing in the PCV hose assembly. If there is supposed to be something of that sort, then it is possible that it got knocked out of the way or broken when I pulled the intake while fixing the truck in the parking lot.
Thanks to all for your advice.