Can't find my miss, out of ideas ... again

[jnrice]

I posted a while ago about my battle with the miss on my '99 Ranger and I just wanted to throw this out there to see if anyone can think of something that I'm missing. The miss is much worse at lower rpm and high load. When I get really annoyed with it I just drop it in second and drive around town at higher rpm as it seems to help after about 3k. The miss is inconsistent (periods of time around 1-2 min when it does and does not but is getting worse). Here is a quick rundown of things I've done in the past year to try to correct the miss that is getting progressively worse and is now bad enough that I feel bad driving it.

*new plugs and wires about 10,000 mi ago, gapped because the guy at the store looked at me like I had a third arm growing out of my ass when I said I had not done that yet (tested wires and inspected plugs today all ok based on line resistance)

*Cleaned MAF (needed it but didn't help much/at all)

*Test TPS, coil pack, and HO2 sensors (all ok)

*check vacuum lines, replaced one and the rest don't appear to have any major issues

I'm torn between just handing the keys over to a shop and saying "make it all better", a for sale sign (which breaks my heart) and a can of gasoline and a book of matches for a viking funeral.

ANY ideas are welcome. Thanks again

 

[adsm08]

I can think of about a dozen things I would do if someone brought me that at the shop. None of them are things that you could easily do yourself.

I'm half tempted to tell you to take it to a shop.

 

[bmonee5]

i assume most people would tell you to check fuel pressure to make sure your getting proper fuel to all cylinders, and also check your compression on each cylinder. Also maybe run a scanner and see if you can get any codes? I know there are people on here who can tell you what each and every code means and help you out. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to seafoam? Possibly a dirty fuel system? Just a couple of idea's i may try if i was having that problem. Just my .02$

 

[bmonee5]

I can think of about a dozen things I would do if someone brought me that at the shop. None of them are things that you could easily do yourself.

I'm half tempted to tell you to take it to a shop.

More or less this is what i may do! haha seeing as i am not a very good mechanic, i can do some but i can get over my head fairly quickly

 

[adsm08]

Actually, SeaFoam may not be a bad idea. Get 2 cans, put 1/2 of one in the tank, put 1/2 in the oil, and run the other one up through a vac line. Let it run for 10 to 15 minutes like that and then change your oil.


If I could get it in the shop I'd run a power balance to see which cylinders are cutting out and then go from there, but I can't do that as is.

 

[bmonee5]

Ya i always had a little miss in my older efi pickup, and whenever i put higher octane gas in it with some fuel injector cleaner it idled wayyy better, had i known of seafoam i would have done that and i bet it would have cleared it up really well....

 

[jnrice]

Thanks guys. I was afraid that it might have been the end of the rope for the jr mechanic. I appreciate the help and advice guys. I will try the sea foam and then hand it off to someone with more experience. adsm, you don't happen to be located near missoula, mt? I'm looking for a shop that doesn't suck.