pulling wrenches on a 2.9 '86

[rangernoob]

i just bought an '86 ranger 4x4 2.9L EFI, I have done plugs and wires, oil change, air filter and fuel filters. Now when my truck is cold it runs good a little lacking in power but over all not bad. It warms up it starts running rough looses power and generally is poor. Other then the leaking air intake gasket and valve cover gaskets is there other things that are likly to blame.

 

[RyanL]

The ignition module AKA TFI can cause issues when hot, but it seems like a lot of guys around here have had many other issues which cause it to run rough when hot from sensors to relays to ECUs. Could be a bad oxygen sensor which is ignored during open loop (when the vehicle is cold), but really it's probably a combination of things making it run rough. Check the codes on the thing while it's warm to see if anything comes up. If you have a multimeter you could also check out your 2 wire coolant temperature sensor along with the intake temperature sensor located on the center intake riser. If they are out of range it will make it run like crap.

 

[jhammel85]

Like RyanL said, best bet is to try checking codes. If it's still running then I would almost say that the TFI isn't the problem (but might be on it's way out)

Hopefully those codes will point you in the right direction

 

[rangernoob]

Got the gaskets coming tommorrow, looked at pulling the cat but bolts are seized and in metric. Looking at changing the O2 censor. Noe I have heard of people banging thier cats out, would i be better to put in a Y join and streight conect it leaving out the cat or try banging it out? I would try replacing it but my closest reliable place for parts is 1.5 hrs away.

 

[RustedRanger]

If ya need to remove the cat for any reason it's probably easiest to burn them out with a torch and replace them with bolts and nuts...that's what I did. I put mine back on after a little "cleaning out". Can't really mention removing or gutting the cat in the forum cause the post will be removed by the moderaters. Also....if you gain access to a torch for the bolts heat the O2 sensor to get it out also.....mine had been there for many years and was still hard to remove even after heating it up...it's still a pain cause it's hard to reach...harder still if it's hot so be careful ya don't burn yourself