2.9 V6 Woes

[rd_rangerman_88]

So my second thread finds me in the 2.9 forums.

Basically, i have a 1988 Ranger with a 2.9 V6 that isn't acting like it should.

The main problems are hard starting in the cold, and a severe lack of power all the time.

The hard starting thing is a bit confusing; when it's warmer (spring to fall) the truck fires up fine, first turn of the key and it's running. Now though, with it running below the 40's here in PA, it's suffering from a case of what i'm calling 'carburetor syndrome'. This 2.9 is fuel injected, but now that it's cold, the only way to get the truck to crank it about 10 times, and even then it just sits there sputtering most of the time. I was going to try a full service, which to me means replace the spark plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, and coil, in addition to an oil and filter change.

Thing is, the second problem leads me to worry it's not that simple. Ever since i got the truck, it's had a pretty severe lack of power. It had a misfire when i got it, and that miss has only gotten worse . We're talking bad enough to cause the whole engine to shake at idle, and hesitate badly when the throttle is pressed.

The point of my long winded explanation is just to see if this is something simple like needing new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil, or if it's something more serious.

Any thoughts? If further explanation is needed, i can upload video to Youtube that shows the truck's problems

Thanks again!

 

[IMenriched]

So my second thread finds me in the 2.9 forums.

Basically, i have a 1988 Ranger with a 2.9 V6 that isn't acting like it should.

The main problems are hard starting in the cold, and a severe lack of power all the time.

The hard starting thing is a bit confusing; when it's warmer (spring to fall) the truck fires up fine, first turn of the key and it's running. Now though, with it running below the 40's here in PA, it's suffering from a case of what i'm calling 'carburetor syndrome'. This 2.9 is fuel injected, but now that it's cold, the only way to get the truck to crank it about 10 times, and even then it just sits there sputtering most of the time. I was going to try a full service, which to me means replace the spark plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, and coil, in addition to an oil and filter change.

Thing is, the second problem leads me to worry it's not that simple. Ever since i got the truck, it's had a pretty severe lack of power. It had a misfire when i got it, and that miss has only gotten worse . We're talking bad enough to cause the whole engine to shake at idle, and hesitate badly when the throttle is pressed.

The point of my long winded explanation is just to see if this is something simple like needing new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and coil, or if it's something more serious.

Any thoughts? If further explanation is needed, i can upload video to Youtube that shows the truck's problems

Thanks again!

If plugs & wires, cap & rotor have not been done for some time ....then yes it would be beneficial. but it probably won't cure the worse of the symptoms.

getting the codes would be a good place to start, so, that your not just replacing parts on a Willie nillie affair. if your not up to getting the codes...it maybe well worth your time to get them ran for you.

It's just that from what you describe it could be several things.

start simple- tune up, filters, Check the grounds for good contact.

 

[rd_rangerman_88]

The way i figure things is, even if the previous owner was very meticulous with all that stuff, when i buy a new vehicle, i do a full service on it so i know when everything has been changed, unless i can see that the plugs, wires, etc. are new.

I'm saving the money for an OBD scanner, the one i'm looking at has both OBD1 and OBD2, so i'll probably be able to pull what codes i need.

And color me uneducated here, but if the engine is throwing codes, shouldn't i see a check engine light? Unless this old of a Ranger doesn't have a check engine light of course.

I'll give all that a shot next weekend; can't work on the truck while the paintball field it's at is closed sadly

 

[IMenriched]

The way i figure things is, even if the previous owner was very meticulous with all that stuff, when i buy a new vehicle, i do a full service on it so i know when everything has been changed, unless i can see that the plugs, wires, etc. are new.

I'm saving the money for an OBD scanner, the one i'm looking at has both OBD1 and OBD2, so i'll probably be able to pull what codes i need.

And color me uneducated here, but if the engine is throwing codes, shouldn't i see a check engine light? Unless this old of a Ranger doesn't have a check engine light of course.

I'll give all that a shot next weekend; can't work on the truck while the paintball field it's at is closed sadly

I wouldn't count on the CEL....1 of previous owner/owners may have removed the bulb.....& the old OBD1 systems wouldn't always trip the CEL on the dash with a code present.

In the mean time...you can also check the little vacuum line on rear of the FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator)....pull it off....and if fuel dribbles out then the FPR is done. Proper way is to get the fuel pressure readings, but that is a quick way to to check & doesn't rule out that the FPR is still the problem or part of the problem

 

[rd_rangerman_88]

I had figured my 'carburetor syndrome' was due to fuel pressure , but you never know with a vehicle that's purchased for under 5 ben franklins

Is the FPR in the engine bay or somewhere on the chassis? I'm learning as i go on these Rangers, so this is a new thing for me

 

[IMenriched]

I had figured my 'carburetor syndrome' was due to fuel pressure , but you never know with a vehicle that's purchased for under 5 ben franklins

Is the FPR in the engine bay or somewhere on the chassis? I'm learning as i go on these Rangers, so this is a new thing for me

drivers side of the intake manifold.

 

[rd_rangerman_88]

Ok, so getting to the project truck is a bit difficult now ....

The place where it's parked now has over a foot of snow in drifts, and i don't have 4 wheel drive on my normal car.

But beyond that, i got a quick question for folks: is there anyone on here that is close to Cranberry PA? I need to find someone who has an OBD I scanner for a Ford that can come pull the codes on this truck for me.

Having a scanner ain't that useful if you don't know what to look for

PM me if anyone is close to that area; i think i can work out a deal for ya

 

[RustedRanger]

From what I have read and experianced the CEL only comes on if something really bad is going on that can destroy the motor. When I got my Ranger last spring I thought doing all that you want to do would make it run great......not so at all,it ran worse. I had ground problems,bad coil plug in and weak coil,no fuel vapor solenoid(someone took it off and ran the line right to the throttle body) I found thes problems by having a friend who does auto electric mobil diagnostics put a computer diagnostic machine on it. To have someone good check it isn't exactly cheap but by finding out the real problems it saved me time,money and work replacing things that wasn't wrong.