01 Ranger laggy at high speeds (newb)

[krausch89]

i drive my 01 Ranger to work everyday on the expressway and when im at 70 MPH it seems to feel like it is being held back. it seems to be worse when i have the AC on it has 173xxx miles on it and it is a standard transmission i just got the truck a month ago and haven't noticed it till recently and now i have a check engine light on. i was told i should clean my MAF but i cant afford to ruin it cause i know how sensitive it can be so im on here looking for help! any suggestions or ideas are GREATLY appreciated! can anyone help a fellow rangerer out!

 

[RonD]

Change Fuel Filter, $10, limited flow reduces top end, but below that it's fine.

Cleaning MAF is just spraying MAF cleaner on the "heated wire".
A Ford MAF works by heating up a thin wire, air passing by the wire cools it, the more air the cooler it gets, it works along with an IAT(intake air temp) sensor to adjust for outside temp.
This wire can get a coating or otherwise compromised so heating and cooling data gets thrown off.

 

[swynx]

My ohv 4.0 used to feel this way. Any thing above 3500 rpms. Was wasting your time. I replaced the distributor and new wires. Problem solved. Power band is pretty equal all the way to red line.

 

[bocefas]

I'm assuming that you have the 3.0 since you posted in ths forum, so I'm here to tell you, you don't have anything above 70, I don't care what you clean or adjust or replace. 4000 lbs+the aerodynamics of a brick divided by 150 horsepower=D-O-G. Especially on the highway in 5th gear. I have the same setup as you with 70k less miles and there are places on the highway I have to DOWNSHIFT to maintain 65 mph. Just part of the joys of having an undersized motor. They last and last, but they are pretty gutless.

 

[krausch89]

thank you everyone who has responded i have taken a few steps with your guys guidance and it has help greatly