01 XLT 3.0 headache

[LostJounin]

Hello, I frequently browse around here due to my love for rangers and always tinkering with mine. I've been having a problem as of late however.

Bout 3-4 months ago, there was a pretty heavy rain where I live, SoCal. I was driving home and didn't judge a dip very well and drove through a pretty deep puddle. Truck was running fine when I got home, parked it and that was that. The next morning I went to go get some BK and when I started the truck... it was awful. I know the ranger's idle pretty terrible on average but this was completely different. I check under the hood for anything that might have gotten wet from the puddle but by that time it had already all dried up. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, the problem got worse and changed and other things started happening. I ended up replacing the DIS or COP or whatever you want to refer to it as, as well as the plugs and wires. All pretty basic AutoZone parts, since a buddy of mine works at one. The problem did seem to improve quite a bit for a while then it came back and now I was getting engine codes... I don't remember the code exactly but it was a misfire in cylinder 4. I removed the plug, cleaned up everything and checked for any apparent problems but with no luck.

This issue is a strange one. It doesn't matter whether the engine is hot or cold. No matter what, every single time I start the engine, for the first 20 seconds or so, it idles rough, even to the point where if I step on the gas, it sputters slightly... but once I get over 20mph, the truck runs fine... though I think I can hear the occasional misfire. as I have modified exhaust so it's really easy to hear these problems. My friend has a predator turner for his mustang GT and it is able to see readings and codes from my truck so we use it often. We did notice that for those 20 seconds my timing was retarded to bout 4% roughly... when I'm fairly sure it should be around 19% I think. I'm not sure what would cause this though.

Things I've done:

-Replaced DIS/COP (dunno which one people call it)
-Replaced plugs and wires
-Replaced MAF
-Cleaned IAC valve
-Am getting about 125 compression in each cylinder (roughly)
-Replaced Fuel Filter
-Brand new battery cables from starter to battery
-Replaced both O2 sensors

This problem still persists. Yesterday my truck threw an engine code at me but before I was able to check it, it erased itself and the light is no longer on. I'm sorry for this long post but I'm hitting a dead end here on what to do. I don't have the money to get one of those full diagnostics done but I can't seem to find anyone that can tell me when to fix... I can get the money if I know it will solve the issue. I use this truck for work and it's very important that I get it fixed. Any input would be really appreciated. Thank you

-Robert

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no offense, but youve already wasted more money by blindly throwing parts at it than it would have cost to have the problem properly diagnosed.

have the code pulled. the computer does not erase codes by itself. if the CEL came on then went back off, that code is stored in the computers memory and could be a clue as to whats doing on.

 

[LostJounin]

Well, most of the stuff I replaced was stuff that needed to be replaced anyways. The truck has 150k+ on it and I was in the process of doing general maintenance when this problem started happening.

I didn't know they computer kept the codes with the light off however, so I will get that checked then as soon as I can get the code reader from my friend. I'd really appreciate some actual idea's as to what the problem might be though instead of just telling me I'm wasting money.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i didnt mean to sound like a jerk. it just gets on my nerves when people throw parts at a vehicle rather than diagnosing the problem.

we'll start with getting the codes pulled and go from there.

 

[LostJounin]

I understand. I'll get those codes and hopefully it wont be just a misfire code like last time. I'll post here again once I get some more information.