Engine Bogging

[Optimaldave]

So, 1990 2.9, 5spd, 4x4 Ranger XLT.

I have had her for a while and have always been pleased with the power of my little truck, however for the last few weeks I have been noticing a loss of top end power. I mainly notice when going up a steep hill at speed, but it seems like the truck loses all power at 3000RPM... Hills that I used to do 80km/h up in 3rd at 3000RPM I can now only do 50km/h up...

The truck has no other issues though I have been wondering about if my cat is failing for a while now....

The only modifications to it (engine wise at least) are a cone filter intake (aka cold air intake though I realize it is not cold air) and I chopped the pipe cat back and ran out in front of the rear wheel with no silencer. These mods have been done for a few months now.

Running without the air filter makes no difference
Fuel pump was changed recently...

any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Dave

 

[IMenriched]

So, 1990 2.9, 5spd, 4x4 Ranger XLT.

I have had her for a while and have always been pleased with the power of my little truck, however for the last few weeks I have been noticing a loss of top end power. I mainly notice when going up a steep hill at speed, but it seems like the truck loses all power at 3000RPM... Hills that I used to do 80km/h up in 3rd at 3000RPM I can now only do 50km/h up...

The truck has no other issues though I have been wondering about if my cat is failing for a while now....

The only modifications to it (engine wise at least) are a cone filter intake (aka cold air intake though I realize it is not cold air) and I chopped the pipe cat back and ran out in front of the rear wheel with no silencer. These mods have been done for a few months now.

Running without the air filter makes no difference
Fuel pump was changed recently...

any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Dave

when was the last time the fuel filter was changed?? with the pump?

not sure whether the 90's still have 2 fuel pumps...1 in the tank and 1 on the rail??? which did you change?

have you run the codes to see if you have anything tripped?

are you sure it is the engine....maybe you have bad wheel bearings? or brake hanging up?? also things to consider.
still start with getting the codes.

when was the last time it had a tune up?

 

[Optimaldave]

when was the last time the fuel filter was changed?? with the pump?

not sure whether the 90's still have 2 fuel pumps...1 in the tank and 1 on the rail??? which did you change?

have you run the codes to see if you have anything tripped?

are you sure it is the engine....maybe you have bad wheel bearings? or brake hanging up?? also things to consider.
still start with getting the codes.

when was the last time it had a tune up?

Fuel filter was changed with the fuel pump, only has the in tank filter to the best of my knowledge.

No computer, hence no codes...

Will check the driveline on the weekend.

Cheers

 

[keebler]

Sounds like your converter mite be failing, BUT.....I have a 87 bronco 2 and idling i could stomp the pedal and it would run as fast as i wanted it too, going down the road i had to fight to hit 50mph. After replacing head gaskets and checking heads and intake gaskets, it ended up being my fuel injectors. Almost everyone of them had failed and were barely spraying gas. After a new set of injectors, my 283000 mile 2.9 runs like a new one. Try injector cleaner for a few tanks of gas. Thats if your converter isnt bad. And if the converter definately isnt bad, take the air duct between the airbox and the intake off, and put your hand over the intake where the air goes in, throttle up the engine several good times with your hand still over the intake, alot of times that will force out the build up or junk that could be clogging the injectors. Let me know what you find out, I have 2 trucks with that engine and always like to keep up with others problems and fixes. good luck

 

[Optimaldave]

Sounds like your converter mite be failing, BUT.....I have a 87 bronco 2 and idling i could stomp the pedal and it would run as fast as i wanted it too, going down the road i had to fight to hit 50mph. After replacing head gaskets and checking heads and intake gaskets, it ended up being my fuel injectors. Almost everyone of them had failed and were barely spraying gas. After a new set of injectors, my 283000 mile 2.9 runs like a new one. Try injector cleaner for a few tanks of gas. Thats if your converter isnt bad. And if the converter definately isnt bad, take the air duct between the airbox and the intake off, and put your hand over the intake where the air goes in, throttle up the engine several good times with your hand still over the intake, alot of times that will force out the build up or junk that could be clogging the injectors. Let me know what you find out, I have 2 trucks with that engine and always like to keep up with others problems and fixes. good luck

I agree that I think it is the cat, the center one to be more specific...
I thwacked it today and I can hear the crap rattling inside. So I guess I'm going to a muffler shop tomorrow to get it changed...

I tried your trick of choking the throttle today but it didn't do anything unfortunately...

Any more input would be appreciated

Cheers

 

[keebler]

Man, I think its going to be your converter. Ive been fooling with 2.9s for a long time and ive had to replace a converter before. As long as you choked the throttle and it didnt work, I would be almost 100percent sure thats it. If you get that done and its not it, we can figure out what it is. But I think that will fix the problem. Let me know how it works out

 

[low_five]

run your truck up the hill where it bogs down on a dark night, and get out and look under your truck. if your cat is glowing red, theres your problem, lol. Im betting its a cat. it seems like the age and mileage are catching up to these older cats.

 

[Optimaldave]

so, interestingly enough my truck seems to have fixed itself...

I think I heard something go pinging out the exhaust so I still suspect a buggered cat and that maybe it blew out the plug.

I will keep you posted to if my problem returns

Any thoughts?
I am going to leave it alone for now but I would like to lay plans for if the problem arises again.

The only other note is that the rattle that my truck has had for a while seems to have gotten louder, I believe it is the throwout bearing in the clutch as I can hear the clutch plates dancing with the clutch depressed. It comes only really in 3rd gear and higher when the engine is really working at speed, aka up steep hills and when I am really running down the highway.

Cheers all

 

[Optimaldave]

so, she still seems to be running, but when i thwack the middle cat I can still hear the baffle material bouncing around so I think I am going to cut out the cats this weekend and maybe put a universal one in down the road...

any input?

Cheers