4.0 SOHC stumbles to a start. Normal?

[q2quest]

Hi there! New to me 2011 Ranger XLT with the 4.0 and auto. When starting the truck it briefly stumbles as it starts. It may be something that all Rangers do which is why I'm asking here. I have no point of reference. The engine idles and runs perfectly otherwise, and it starts fairly quickly, albeit with some stumble and shake as it starts. Does this sound like normal 4.0 SOHC behavior or not. It does this every start. It doesn't matter whether it's hot or cold. I have tried doing the double prime of the fuel pump to rule out any bleed down and no difference. Thanks in advance.

 

[franklin2]

Has it ever had a tune up? New sparkplugs and wires? Throttle body clean up? New air filter?

 

[q2quest]

I bought it from a dealer with no service history, however it has only 45k original miles. I will be doing maintenance shortly. Just curious if this is something others have experienced with this particular engine.

 

[franklin2]

I bought it from a dealer with no service history, however it has only 45k original miles. I will be doing maintenance shortly. Just curious if this is something others have experienced with this particular engine.

We will see if anyone with one of those replies. But I bet putting some fuel treatment in the tank and just running it may clear it up. It looks like it did a lot of sitting around, and the ethanol fuel doesn't keep very well for long periods. I bet you have a lot of water in the tank. Ethanol loves to attract water.

 

[SenorNoob]

That sounds reasonable. Also reasonable to believe it has original plugs and wires, fuel filter, and maybe air filter at that mileage. All due for a change. Most of the people I know would still have the factory air in the tires and oil in the engine at that mileage. LOL

 

[q2quest]

So, is it safe to say that what I am describing at start up is not what others have experienced as normal behavior from their 4.0s?

 

[franklin2]

So, is it safe to say that what I am describing at start up is not what others have experienced as normal behavior from their 4.0s?

Ford would not have sold it new like that, you can be assured of that. But I would put some miles on it before I went and spent a lot of money trying to fix it. I would only do something about it if it gets worse.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

I would try something like Iso-Heet or Heet combined with a fill of premium, then run the truck on a long trip just after filling the tank. Assess how the truck runs then.

It also wouldn't hurt to check under the hood to see if mice have nibbled on wires (including plug wires) or vacuum lines.