2004 Ranger Rough Idle

[chev]

So,
I am driveing to work this morning and everything is going good, stop at a red light and start to get going again and my truck starts running extremely rough like it's not running on all cyclinders.

I just about make it into a parking lot, check engine light is on, it is running so bad and choppy, not drivable!

Anyway, I am work at the moment and its sitting in the parking lot.

Idle control valve?

2004 Ford ranger 6cyl 3.0L 2X4
66,000 miles


suggestions?? Please?

 

[KELLY88]

Check the obvious first, plugs and wires tight, wires not burned and arcing? Fuel pump primes quickly. Vacuum hose come disconnected? Also is it a manual or automatic?

 

[chev]

it's auto, I did check the wires etc. I replaced the plugs this past sunday and everything has been fine since. I rechecked all plug wires, looked for any loose hoses, etc, didn't see any. when I get out of work I am going to go over there and check some more.

It's just weird that it just happened out of no where when I started to drive from a red light.

 

[KELLY88]

Have you tried starting it again since this morning? Also is there any difference between idling and moving?

 

[chev]

nope haven't touched it, I have been at work all day. Getting off at 4pm to go and deal with it

I wasn't going to try and move it because I was barley able to get it into the parking spot, it sounds like it is running on three or two cylinders, literally. bad bad bad

 

[snake]

Since it threw a code I'd try to find a scanner and read the codes. If it was a clogged fuel filter it wouldn't throw a code for example. With those symptoms I would suspect the egr was sticking. It also might be the torque converter not unlocking if an auto tranny.

 

[odie1969]

possibly the MAF sensor when my shitscort and the maf went out. I had to tack out the cafr at light to keep it running.

 

[chev]

So, Friday I go to look at my truck and meet my friend there who is a mechanic and he brings a genesis and we hook that up and no error codes, but cylinder two is dead and tapping.

He fears it’s either a bad lifter or the valve spring busted . I am going to take it apart today after work and look at the instate valve. He believes it to be this because of how bad it is running. I had to have a flat bed bring it to my house; it’s idle is so bad its un drivable even if I wanted to risk swallowing a valve.

I would image if it is a broken valve spring it would be loose if I wiggled it? I also don’t want the valve to drop into the cylinder if this is the case.

 

[snake]

Odd... seems like if the spring broke it might drop low enough to hit the piston, but who knows. You're making the right move by not driving it for sure. If this thing has rocker arms one of them on the dead cylinder should be pretty loose and obvious. Since I haven't done major engine work on your engine I'm not sure how it is set up but I'm assuming it has hydraulic lifters- if so the lifter may have collapsed. All of these scenarios are unlikely for such a low mileage late model truck, but crap happens... keep us posted.

 

[chev]

Broken exhuast valve Cylinder 2 !





Looks like I am going to try and compress the cyclinder inorder to remove the valve spring. Any suggestions on where to get the valve spring, I was thinking dealer, I just need one.

 

[KELLY88]

Sorry about the valve. Well at least you know the problem. As for a place to pick up a spring you could probably get it from just about any auto parts store. The dealer will charge 3 times more. Also since you're in there it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace all the springs since you've got it apart.

 

[snake]

Machine shops seem to be able to get them too- I'm sure they get theirs from parts stores. I'd stick with dealer parts tho, they can't rape you too bad on this. The valve spring broke? At the top of the post you said the valve... Very odd but hopefully an easy fix.

 

[chev]

Snake, first post before I really looked at it I just happen to mention the idle control valve.

On Friday after I looked at it, after work I suspected the intake valve spring based on the bad tapping and the dead cylinder, instead it is the exhaust valve spring.

I am going to check the dealer first, see what they charge for a single valve spring.

I wasn't going to replace them all, valve springs busting like this, from what I hear, is a very odd thing to have happen. You can see there is no engine sludge, my oil changes, and general maintenance are good. I don't beat on the the truck, four wheel, nothing like that. So, dunno ??

 

[chev]

6.33 dealer for the valve spring. 8.00 for the valve cover gasket! Be in tommorrow, hopefully!

 

[snake]

Just a flaw in the metal or something- I wouldn't replace 'em all either with the low miles. Very odd deal...