3.0 shaky idle high LTFT bank 2

[RangerBobMan]

Hi, Gang…

New member here.

Had a Ranger back in the day and had an opportunity to rescue one at a great price and I’m back in the fray!

I have an issue that I can’t seem to figure out.

Truck is a 2007 Ranger Sport with the 3.0/Automatic. 98,000 miles

Truck was sitting for 3-4 years and I bought at a great price.

All works as it should except for a shaky idle and a shudder in the 1500-1900 partial throttle area.

Maintenance items done:

New spark plugs- old plugs looked normal

New plug wires

New air filter

New fuel filter- It looked original and when I cut it open to inspect…it looked like a silt box in there!

NO check engine light NO codes

In running a scan on the fuel system, all looks normal EXCEPT for the LTFT on bank 2 it's as high as 25% when driving

Internet is telling me that it indicates a Lean condition and computer is compensating with more fuel.

LTFT on bank 2 was 18% and went to 25% with throttle- thought it might be O2 sensors so changed both upstream sensors on bank 1 and 2. LTFT dropped to 14% but problem persists. Original Affected bank 2 sensor had black soot on it while bank 1 looked normal..
I’ve done the carb spray/vacuum leak test and can’t seem to find a vacuum leak. Internet has told me that if it was a vacuum leak, fuel trim percentages would drop with throttle, not increase.

Since the fuel pump was original- (17 years..and had sat) I replaced it. It was likely weak and had been whining, After swap, No immediate change...but internet told me PCM might need to re-calibrate? I've got 20 miles on it since new fuel pump.

Since my problem is only on Bank 2...Should I be looking at fuel injectors??? Cant see em on Bank 2...how to test?

Anyone had a similar problem and how was it solved???

 

[pentode]

Welcome! I'm thinking it's gotta be pulling in extra air from somewhere. Did you spray down around the lower intake manifold and injectors?
Sooty O2 Seems to confirm that bank is getting too much fuel. Any exhaust leaks or issues?

 

[RangerBobMan]

Welcome! I'm thinking it's gotta be pulling in extra air from somewhere. Did you spray down around the lower intake manifold and injectors?
Sooty O2 Seems to confirm that bank is getting too much fuel. Any exhaust leaks or issues?

I appreciate the reply...The only thing I struggle with your logic is as I rev engine, numbers go up...meaining If I had air coming in, the fuel added from pedal would cause # drop.....Plus, I only have lean condition on one bank....If it were an overall vacuum leak or a vacuum leak in that area...the whole engine would suffer and show higher #'s (bank 1 and 2)
Sprayed carc cleaner in that vicinity and others and no change. I keep thinking one fuel injector but don't want to 'throw parts"

 

[pentode]

Have you logged fuel trims on a long drive? Or are you just looking while revving the engine?
Did you replace the O2 sensor with an OEM or aftermarket? Aftermarket ones can be all over the place.
I agree with your logic - however, I like to rule out the obvious stuff before really digging in. I don't think there's any way to reliably test injectors other than a flow test on the bench. You could swap the 3 injectors on one bank for the 3 on the other bank and see if the fuel trim problem switches banks.

 

[RangerBobMan]

I did today...and that's where I placed my reasoning...25% LTFT on bank 2 at highest level...fluctuated from 14-25%
Bank 1 is 5-8% while driving.
O2 sensors are Bosch. I could put OEM back as I have them.
If I go into bank 2 for injectors/ I'll replace all 3.
I did see on the interwebs that having disconnected my battery for days and replacing the 17 year old whiny pump, it could take up to a week of driving for PCM to relearn a new strong pump...Sound logical?

 

[pentode]

Sorry, misread something. I would expect the fuel trims to balance out in minutes, not days.
I'm just suggesting to swap the injectors (I know it's not easy) not replacing them, just because it's more scientific and free. Not suggesting you buy more injectors.

I'd probably put the OEM O2 sensors back at least temporarily so you're comparing apples to apples.

 

[pjtoledo]

have an IR thermometer?
check the exhaust ports for big discrepancies.
might be able to pin it down to a specific cylinder.

also consider a bad splice in the wiring.
the pcm grounds each individual injector, but power starts as a common line then splits/splices off into
2 paths, one for each bank.

 

[RangerBobMan]

Ok...gang...been working with the theory it's fuel related and need to look at the injectors on bank 2.
Learned I could 'rebuild' injectors with kit. (replace o rings and filter basket.
Tore into today and this is a pic of the first injector I pulled. (from the affected Bank 2) Crack in body. Looks like it's been there a while.
Anyone seen this before. Swollen in that area as well...Could this cause a air leak? Malfunction in injector?
My new plan is to go to Pull a Part, get an OEM replacement and rebuild that.
Any one experinced this before?

 

[RangerBobMan]

Ok...Gang...thought I would close the loop here..and hope to help someone else.
My problem is solved and Ranger is running like a top now.
Turns out, problem was not fuel related.
It was ignition related. It was the coil pack. Truck runs like a beast now.
Lots os elbow grease, a little cash and a few trips to Pull a Part. All is good now!

 

[bills4065]

Hi, Gang…

New member here.

Had a Ranger back in the day and had an opportunity to rescue one at a great price and I’m back in the fray!

I have an issue that I can’t seem to figure out.

Truck is a 2007 Ranger Sport with the 3.0/Automatic. 98,000 miles

Truck was sitting for 3-4 years and I bought at a great price.

All works as it should except for a shaky idle and a shudder in the 1500-1900 partial throttle area.

Maintenance items done:

New spark plugs- old plugs looked normal

New plug wires

New air filter

New fuel filter- It looked original and when I cut it open to inspect…it looked like a silt box in there!

NO check engine light NO codes

In running a scan on the fuel system, all looks normal EXCEPT for the LTFT on bank 2 it's as high as 25% when driving

Internet is telling me that it indicates a Lean condition and computer is compensating with more fuel.

LTFT on bank 2 was 18% and went to 25% with throttle- thought it might be O2 sensors so changed both upstream sensors on bank 1 and 2. LTFT dropped to 14% but problem persists. Original Affected bank 2 sensor had black soot on it while bank 1 looked normal..
I’ve done the carb spray/vacuum leak test and can’t seem to find a vacuum leak. Internet has told me that if it was a vacuum leak, fuel trim percentages would drop with throttle, not increase.

Since the fuel pump was original- (17 years..and had sat) I replaced it. It was likely weak and had been whining, After swap, No immediate change...but internet told me PCM might need to re-calibrate? I've got 20 miles on it since new fuel pump.

Since my problem is only on Bank 2...Should I be looking at fuel injectors??? Cant see em on Bank 2...how to test?

Anyone had a similar problem and how was it solved???

One converter might be plugged.Have to check my records on which one might be the culprit. Have seen this before. The converter with soot on it may be the problem.