1997 xlt extra cab 5spd 2wd 4.0 sluggish

[Rick W]

i build that into it. access whenever possible. not always possible....but when the chance presents itself..i try to make less hard.... mo eazzee = moe bedduh.


when you are keeping something to the end....of you or it... its not if you will have to work on the entire powertrain....but when. and hacking shit out of the way becomes much easier.

I totally agree, and it’s actually what I did much of my life when I worked on crazy stuff like this. But remember, I was sick and hurt and did most of this laying on my back. It was therapy more than it was a planned project. But it probably is going to stick with me forever, but that might not be too long either way!

 

[Curious Hound]

Have you run it enough to burn all the crap out that you put in the fuel tank? If you still have seafoam and other additives contaminating your fuel, that’s not helping the issue. Mixing different additives could have created some kind of nasty goop, too. Not saying that’s the problem. But it could be making things worse. In addition to getting pressure readings, I would try to burn as much fuel as possible and fill up with non-ethanol.

 

[Rick W]

Have you run it enough to burn all the crap out that you put in the fuel tank? If you still have seafoam and other additives contaminating your fuel, that’s not helping the issue. Mixing different additives could have created some kind of nasty goop, too. Not saying that’s the problem. But it could be making things worse. In addition to getting pressure readings, I would try to burn as much fuel as possible and fill up with non-ethanol.

I’m pretty sure I ran more than 3/4 of the tank out with the sea foam. Then I filled up the tank again, maybe not all the way, and ran it down to about 8 gallons and that’s when I added the carbiclean. After that worked in, it’s been running like crap ever since, barely running. I haven’t had time to fool with it this weekend, but thanks, good info.

 

[sgtsandman]

I bought the fuel pressure tester today.

When I pulled the bed, and made the custom frame for the diamond plate, added the second axle, and put the weather guard toolbox, the headache, rack, and stacks, etc., on it, I just ran the lights and accessory wires one by one to the second battery in the toolbox. I wasn’t thinking about having to take it off again. I think I can swing it up enough to swap out the fuel assembly, but if not, I have to take all those wires loose, about 25 of them, but I will extend them to make it serviceable in the future if I have to go that route.

I’ll run the test this weekend probably

So, you became the engineer mechanics love to hate and gave yourself a good whack.

 

[scotts90ranger]

If it hasn't ran right after the cat converter stuff either it melted down at least one of the cats (aren't there like 3 on those?) or it just doesn't work right... Once the cats get past about 800C (might be 850-900, don't remember off the top of my head) the ceramic substrate can melt and if done just wrong enough it will be into a wad that doesn't flow squat...

 

[Rick W]

What is the difference in the symptoms from a partially plugged up cat versus plugged up injectors?

 

[Curious Hound]

What is the difference in the symptoms from a partially plugged up cat versus plugged up injectors?

A partially plugged up cat will eventually make a huge mess on your living room carpet.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Plugged up injectors will have fuel trim values out in the weeds all over the place, a plugged cat will likely idle fine and idle fuel trims will be fine but will be gutless since the flow rate of the exhaust is low and who knows what the fuel trims will be, probably high and low randomly...

 

[Rick W]

A partially plugged up cat will eventually make a huge mess on your living room carpet.

Unfortunately, I know that from experience, but the cats went with Satan when I got rid of her…

 

[Shran]

Can't say I have seen many injectors plugged unless the vehicle has sat for a long time. Usually they stick open and it'll run very, very rich with a lot of smoke and a bad misfire.

You can remove the O2 sensors to check for a plugged up cat, drive it a bit and see if it's better. Or stick a bore scope down the exhaust pipe from the O2 bung and see what it looks like.

 

[Rick W]

Can't say I have seen many injectors plugged unless the vehicle has sat for a long time. Usually they stick open and it'll run very, very rich with a lot of smoke and a bad misfire.

You can remove the O2 sensors to check for a plugged up cat, drive it a bit and see if it's better. Or stick a bore scope down the exhaust pipe from the O2 bung and see what it looks like.

Thanks!

 

[Rick W]

Can't say I have seen many injectors plugged unless the vehicle has sat for a long time. Usually they stick open and it'll run very, very rich with a lot of smoke and a bad misfire.

You can remove the O2 sensors to check for a plugged up cat, drive it a bit and see if it's better. Or stick a bore scope down the exhaust pipe from the O2 bung and see what it looks like.

Remove the oxygen sensor? That’s to create a hole and allow the exhaust to leak out? That small hole would make a difference?

 

[sgtsandman]

Remove the oxygen sensor? That’s to create a hole and allow the exhaust to leak out? That small hole would make a difference?

Think about how much a vacuum leak makes a difference and those tend to be much smaller.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yes, if it's bad enough that little hole will make a difference

 

[Shran]

Yep, and you should have two pre-cat O2 sensors so double the little holes.

My buddy had the cats plug up on his super duty and he drove around forever with the O2 sensors removed... loud and kind of comical.