Please help, local mechanic wouldn't

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Lil_Blue sounds preachy about cats because The Ranger Station has a long standing policy that we don’t agree with removing cats. It’s a federal crime and not a topic of discussion allowed here.

 

[rangerb4000]

hey there, I don't have diagnostic advice but I just wanted to drop off an idea for a *super diy* smoke tester that helped me confirm a vac leak in my 4.0 recently. I know there are a bunch of tutorials out there but this was quick and dirty, didn't cost me anything, and could obviously be adapted to what you have on hand. not saying it'll work for everyone, but just in case...

it's basically just a coffee can, some tubing poked through the lid and superglued, and a bike pump (with a pressure gauge and changeable nozzles). there is gauze around the air inlet tube to diffuse air/catch moisture. gathered some random stuff to make the smoke. to light it, I dropped it in the can and used a torch to get it going and then smothered it quick. plenty of smoke. obviously not the cleanest but it took less than a minute to find the leak. (alot of videos suggest a cheap cigar.)

I disconnected the air intake from the filter box and blocked it with a nitrile glove, which also helps see the air pressure. disconnected vac line from the intake at the brake booster, and plugged smoker outlet into that line. inlet smoker hose to the bike pump. (you could use different kinds of pumps or probably just blow in it) ... then pump and watch. I had a drop cloth over the hood and used a flashlight, and it was easy to see the smoke finding its way out pretty quickly.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

also unless you are very sure you did it right, double check the filter didn't get installed backwards.

Can’t install the filter backwards on the ”returnless“ systems because there’s two ports on the tank side (5/16” and 3/8”) and one 5/16” on the engine side.

 

[pjtoledo]

Nope, regulator is part of the fuel pump assembly, it’s on the end of that return leg from the filter.

my bad, info deleted

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

my bad, info deleted

It is replaceable on the pump assembly, or at least you were able to buy it the last time I looked.

 

[priddytom]

My 2005 4.0 V6 ranger is having a few issues that even my local mechanic didn't wanna get into. First things first is the thing hard starts after sitting for more then a few minutes, it cranks fine and hard but it won't start until about 5 seconds of cranking. The only way to remedy this is by cycling the key 2 or 3 times to build fuel pressure. I've already replaced the fuel filter and breifly installed a new fuel pump but when it didn't fix the issue I returned it. the next issue is that it idles like shit, the rpms pulsate up and down and the whole engine shakes, it has never stalled. it has brand new plugs and wires. I thought maybe there was a vacuum leak but an unable to find one by spraying the lines with carb cleaner. I can hear a hissing sound coming from the drivers side but cannot find or confirm if it's a vacuum leak. I cut the cats so it has no 02 sensors but the exhaust shop I spoke to said that they often do that and it won't effect performance besides throwing a code. It has poor gas milage and sometimes the engine bay smells strongly of gas. Other than the 02 sensor codes there are no others. It runs pretty smooth when actually driving but will jerk and hesitate at certain speeds but will go away by giving it more or less gas. I've been chasing these issues for 4 months and haven't seen anyone else online with my combo of problems. it also has a new maf and and cleaned iac valve and throttle body. Does ANYONE have any ideas? This truck is driving me nuts and im on the verge of selling if this issue can't get resolved

Change the fuel regulator. Get a fuel pressure reading before and after. For the hell of it ,, try unplugging the alternator