Engine Code and Terrible Gas Mileage

[finsfan092001]

Hello,
I have a 2wd 2.3l Ford Ranger automatic. The truck has been displaying a code since i bought it saying, engine too lean bank 1. I replacedlugs(didnt look burnt just worn), wires, cat, muffler, intake, rear oxygen sensor, pcv valve, oil, and a tran filter/oil. After all of this the engine still flashes the code every coupole weeks and the truck only gets 15-18 mpg. Im going to be replacing the front oxygen sensor next, but after that i have no idea what next. Anyone else had this issue? This is my first auto truck( will be sold for a standard again soon) and i understand because of that i wont get great mileage but jeesh with my straight six 4.9l standard 5 speed f150 i was getting 18mpg and that was heavier and had more power then i could ever need.

 

[bottledgt]

the front 02 matters even more than the rear

 

[shadetree]

Before you do that, replace your fuel filter. I had a 1999, and the best it could do was about 21.5mpg with normal driving, easy on the accelerator, nothing over 65mph, etc. shady

 

[finsfan092001]

I replaced the front oxygen sensor today ( what a **** who would design a connector behind the engine block) I need to clear the code tongiht and see how long it takes tthe code to come on, if it comes on at all hoepfully not. I had replaced the fuel filter back in the day when i changed the plugs just forgot to mention it.

 

[finsfan092001]

Replaced the oxygen sesnor. And cleared code, but today while driving the light came back on. I dont know what to check now.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

wow.

no offense, but youre not looking even close to the right direction. your engine is telling you a lean condition exists..so start looking at things that could cause either too much air (eg, a vacuum leak, the likely cause), or not enough fuel to get to the engine.

most of the things youve replaced so far have nothing to do with mixture control.

 

[bottledgt]

no offense( and you could be right) if the 02 is fried and reading wrong , it could have caused what hes got going on

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

yes, it could have been a sensor. assuming an $80 sensor is bad rather than checking for a vacuum leak (which is much more likely) for free is not a good MO.

 

[bottledgt]

ehh, if its got many miles , it needs a new 02 sensor anyways

 

[HAPPY_RANGER_GUY]

ehh, if its got many miles , it needs a new 02 sensor anyways

Well that's debatable. Some say this is true and others are still running stock sensors...like me.

T.

 

[bottledgt]

its not debatable. it either reads voltage right or it doesnt

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

O2 sensors dont read voltage, they drop it. and sensor life can vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. in fact i just recently replaced my 14-year/130,000 mile old O2's on my truck due to my bank 1 sensors lazy switching. some people get more out of their sensors, some people get less.

either way your assuming the sensors are bad...which is a terrible way to diagnose a driveability concern. theres a reason we can monitor sensor voltages and signals on our engines....to DETERMINE if a sensor bad or if its sending accurate signals (AKA, the motor is ACTUALLY lean). lacking the diagnostic equipment to do so...its best to give the sensor the benefit of the doubt rather than throwing money in the trash (literally) with your old, possibly good, sensors.

 

[bottledgt]

a simple voltmeter can tell if its working or not

 

[Dave R]

O2 sensors dont read voltage, they drop it.

Drop it?

An oxygen sensor is a voltage generator, it creates a voltage in porportion to the amount of oxygen left in the exhaust stream after combustion. Low oxygen (rich) = >.5 volt, High oxygen (lean) = <.5 volt.

 

[bottledgt]

that one got me too