Hot Engine / Won't Start or Rough Idle

[rangerrager]

i have the same exact problem and have yet to figure i have yet to try allands advice yet tho

 

[BillupsOMally]

If you've run out of ideas, if I were you I'd make the truck do it's running bad thing, make it last as long as possible. Then as soon as it starts running proper shut it off, and start pulling spark plugs until you find one that looks abnormal. Careful though, a hot manifold'll strip skin off your arm faster than you can blink. (Maybe a bit of exaggeration, but either way, it'll burn you bad.)

If the plugs look like they're running lean it's almost definitely a fuel issue. Although not always.

Rich plugs could be either fuel or ignition.

I know that prbly doesn't help a whole lot, but trust me, determining whether it's a fuel issue or an ignition issue cuts the possibilities in roughly half

 

[AllanD]

i have the same exact problem and have yet to figure i have yet to try allands advice yet tho

Don't feel bad, I haven't followed my own advise yet.

I insist on having the manifold professionally cleaned, then I'm going to sandblast and paint it (Silver metallic mag wheel paint) before I install it.

But I've got the manifold, fuel rail gasket set, etc...

AD

 

[Kalwren]

I still have this problem and I've not yet fixed it.

I had the problem again today which is why I'm checking the forum.

It actually failed to start back up after sitting for 20 minutes. I tried jumpering the fuel pump for a few minutes and it still fails to start.

It's definitely making me mad at this point though. I need to figure it out and fix it.

I've done a tune up on the engine since this issue. I've replaced the spark plugs. The plugs that came out of it were clearly old (they were rusted!) and there was some build up on two of the plugs contacts. One of the plugs was actually loose in the cylinder. I'm surprised the engine ran as well as it did.

Has anyone else had luck actually FIXING this issue?

 

[bigredscowboy]

Has anyone else had luck actually FIXING this issue?

I think I cracked a head, I have to put a clutch in the yota before I can go get the ranger and bring it home

have you done a compression test?

 

[Kalwren]

I've not done a compression test on my engine. I don't have a tool to do it with. I've been considering buying one though.

The engine runs perfectly fine when it's not hot. It drives strong and hard and is fast as hell. This issue doesn't appear until the engine is fully warmed up and is either shut off - or I'm driving around town at low speeds in hot weather.

If I had bad compression, it would always be bad - right?

I think I cracked a head, I have to put a clutch in the yota before I can go get the ranger and bring it home

have you done a compression test?

 

[Kalwren]

I'm still plagued with this issue. I did manage to get the Check Engine Light to come on though. Usually it doesn't.

It reported:
181 - (M) Fuel system was lean at part throttle Single, Right or Rear HO2S - Fuel control
189 - (M) Fuel system was lean at part throttle - Left or Front HO2S - Fuel control

The CEL came on two times on two different days and gave the same codes. 181 and 189 were reported twice.

Can anyone give additional information as to what these codes mean please?

 

[rangerrager]

im having the same exact problem months and still havent figured it out...im thinking ecm as a last resort thats the only thing left if its not the fuel rail issue...my only thing with what alland said was that if this problem is true then why the hell wouldnt ford come out with a technical service bulliten for it..or we would have at least heard about it..its doesnt make any sense

 

[Donnie strickland]

Kalwren, those 181 and 189 codes indicate that your engine is running lean, although the system was at its limit trying to richen up your fuel mixture. It can't get enough gas.

According to Alldata, for these codes you should check (in this order):

Fuel pressure.
Fuel injector.
Air intake.
Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor.
Fuel injector electrical circuit.
Fuel filter.
Vacuum.
Air filter.

I wonder if your fuel pressure is low. I'd change the filter, if you haven't already, then I'd check the fuel pressure (or get it checked).

 

[rangerrager]

no ,not air intake cause it would be doing it all the time,not map sensor,not vaccum and not air filter,cause if it was one of those things then the problem would be all the time not alternating..that leaves fuel pressure and fuel injector.

its getting spark but no fuel during this problem.i tested for spark with positive results and sprayed start fluid in intake and it fired up then died.therefore its a fuel problem..i now have a noid light in my truck so next time it does this i can check to see if the injectors are working.i will post with results.

now if the injectors arent working it opens up a whole new world of possibiltys such as ecm and injector problems..but if the injectors arent working the only thing i can think of would be what alland found.

 

[fastpakr]

I think you're jumping to conclusions by skipping around, especially by choosing not to test things like the MAP circuit.

 

[rangerrager]

I think you're jumping to conclusions by skipping around, especially by choosing not to test things like the MAP circuit.

the main reason i do not want to test the map is because i dont have one on my truck so i beleive that kinda elimanates that

 

[fastpakr]

Are you sure? There's certainly a part number for one.

 

[Kalwren]

With the codes that I've been getting and my engine saying it's running lean - could that be caused by a vacuum leak?

I'm pretty sure I have a vaccuum leak and it appears to be getting worse. When starting out in first gear from a stop, my engine will often stumble. I'll have to push in the clutch and re-accelerate. It only does this when the truck is at a complete stop and I'm starting out.

If the truck is already rolling, it won't do it.

I've read about finding vacuum leaks by using a propane torch. Where would I want to hold the torch (not lit of course!) around the engine bay? How long should I hold it in one particular spot?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Donnie strickland]

It could be a vacuum leak, but as I said before there's a lot of other things I would check first. Vacuum is 7th on the list. You must check your fuel pressure, to be sure you are getting enough fuel to the motor. If you're not getting enough fuel, it isn't going to run right, vacuum leak or not.

Didn't you say you previously had your vacuum leak fixed?