Misfire at cruise.

[Powerzombie]

I just bought my third Ranger- '96 5 speed, 2.3 engine, 115,000 miles.

It has a light misfire at cruise, also barely perceptable at part throttle acceleration. No real misfire at idle. I drove the truck after buying it for about 300 miles and used some HEET gas dryer thinking it was water in the tank. The truck sat for awhile before I got it.

I put in a new air filter and 8 miles later the check engine light came on.

It also doesn't get up to temp....the needle just barely gets off of cold. The other two Rangers I had the needle showed about 1/3 the way up the gauge.

A place to start?

Thanks.

 

[locovaca]

Well, the place to start is to get the code read. No sense in doing anything else until you know what that code is.

 

[Powerzombie]

Thanks.

 

[Mark_88]

CELs are pretty much associated with emission controls...it may or may not relate to the misfire...but getting the codes would be the place to start...

Misfires in EFI can be caused by many things...but you might try and run some injector cleaner through the tank...it won't hurt, and may help...

Any time an engine sits for a long time, especially when the fluids are not drained properly and replaced with suitable storage fluids, things can get plugged (fuel lines, filters)...proper storage methods or even just topping up perfectly good fluids like oil and anti-freeze can mean a longer life when the engine is used again...treat it like a new engine and do a break-in if you haven't already done so...

Mice tend to gather to scavenge things...my Dad used to find mouse nests in the boat engine every winter...and they'd eat through things to get inside...like styrofoam cups and cardboard (which makes great nests...)...