Sputterin,jerkin, coughin !!

[dirtybird62]

Hey Guys,
Me and my 87 2.9 (orig.owner) Ranger barely made it home. No warnings...It would cut out at 55 mph, then sputter till I'd clutch an rev. I'd drop a gear a mat it and temporary seem to clear it's self. It worsened the remaining 13 miles home. At times I was convinced it was electrical (I looked at computer area)since it rained, then it felt fuel related ? Starving with intermintent jerks and sputters ? I saw some posts that sound like the "MAF" ?
Thanks much !!

 

[06RangerXLT]

try your fuel filter first.

 

[jhammel85]

I think you might be thinking about the MAP sensor...but theres really no way to tell without taking codes.

I would check the computer for codes and see what happens. There can be quite a few things doing that.

if you check for codes, let us know what you find!

 

[dirtybird62]

trouble shootin 2.9

Thanks for replies...I look forward to exploring the mysteries this week. I'm across the Country at the moment. Fuel filter probably 2 years old, easy to replace and the codes I got to drive it about 7 miles to a shop. The 'MAF' I read I believe was 'mass air flow' sensor. It showed a T-20 torxdriver to dis assemble by the air intake then clean with electrical spray...enjoy the quest at times.....thanks Guys

 

[jamesb-862.9]

I at one point had the same issue on my 86 2.9 It would be driving great then with no warning the truck would start to sputtered I would lose power sounded like it was going to just die!especially under a heavy load... Well after about 1500 dollars, 2 auto mechanics and me and my brothers replacing almost every electronic thing on the truck. Still no fix even bought new heads,injectors, nothing.... Long story short most people don't realize that the ranger has 2 fuel filters one located on the frame right about under the driver side seat on the rail behind a big metal plate in a plastic cartridge its a paper filter that only costs 10 bucks once I put a new one in truck ran great ... So imo change that LIL filter and I'm almost sure it will solve Ur problem.. let me know if it does good luck!

 

[WildSide]

The 87 does not have a MAF sensor. Your symptoms are most likely due to a bad fuel pressure regulator, high fuel pressure will feel like starvation or an electrical issue.Checking the FPR vacuum line for gas may be one quick check although not all bad units will show gas in the line. Before you check for codes go through the whole wire harness to check for poor grounds and bad or corroded connections.

 

[dirtybird62]

I at one point had the same issue on my 86 2.9 It would be driving great then with no warning the truck would start to sputtered I would lose power sounded like it was going to just die!especially under a heavy load... Well after about 1500 dollars, 2 auto mechanics and me and my brothers replacing almost every electronic thing on the truck. Still no fix even bought new heads,injectors, nothing.... Long story short most people don't realize that the ranger has 2 fuel filters one located on the frame right about under the driver side seat on the rail behind a big metal plate in a plastic cartridge its a paper filter that only costs 10 bucks once I put a new one in truck ran great ... So imo change that LIL filter and I'm almost sure it will solve Ur problem.. let me know if it does good luck!

Thanks for that... It's on my list ,but I'm pretty certain it's electrical. Filter was replaced last year. I took off throttle position sensor and sprayed electrical cleaner and inspected everything obvious. It fired up fine and drove 12 miles perfect and then I got some jerks, cleared up and was fine the remaining 4 miles home. It almost feels like the ignition switch is turned off for a split second? A professional mechanic neighbor said I don't have a 'MAP' sensor ? Back to the mystery.thanks again !

 

[dirtybird62]

That is another thing to inspect..thanks for idea. It was replaced a while back when I had constant problem, not intermintant like now. Your right, friend pointed out no 'maf'sensor. The symptoms seem to intensify as it warms up ??

 

[freedom5]

Thanks for that... It's on my list ,but I'm pretty certain it's electrical. Filter was replaced last year. I took off throttle position sensor and sprayed electrical cleaner and inspected everything obvious. It fired up fine and drove 12 miles perfect and then I got some jerks, cleared up and was fine the remaining 4 miles home. It almost feels like the ignition switch is turned off for a split second? A professional mechanic neighbor said I don't have a 'MAP' sensor ? Back to the mystery.thanks again !

My 87 2.9L has a MAP sensor located on the firewall just above the heater hose connections. It monitors the intake Manifold air pressure which is used by the EEC to adjust the mixture.

freedom5

 

[dirtybird62]

I took that off and inspected/sprayed also.....It's so intermintent I think it's gone. I was jumping my Jeep yesterday and the idle would fall off and almost die, then stabilize again. I was going to run some "Techtroline" cleaner through in case some water in fuel also..........thanks very much for replies !

 

[CaseyVR6]

I'm actually struggling with the same issue. The sensation is almost like the engine is being choked. Driving along fine and there's a somewhat sudden power drain, bogging, some sputtering, etc. and with a romp on the gas (clutch in to let it rev) it seems to clear for a second or two. I usually have to do it 2 or 3 times and then it's fine again for 10 minutes or so.

I've replaces MPA, EGR, plugs, wires, TPS, air filter, larger alternator, in-tank fuel pump and o2 sensor in the past 6 months. I'm going to check my o2 again since I've been in the sticks a few times and may have pulled off a wire.

In any case, watching this thread...

 

[freedom5]

I'm actually struggling with the same issue. The sensation is almost like the engine is being choked. Driving along fine and there's a somewhat sudden power drain, bogging, some sputtering, etc. and with a romp on the gas (clutch in to let it rev) it seems to clear for a second or two. I usually have to do it 2 or 3 times and then it's fine again for 10 minutes or so.

I've replaces MPA, EGR, plugs, wires, TPS, air filter, larger alternator, in-tank fuel pump and o2 sensor in the past 6 months. I'm going to check my o2 again since I've been in the sticks a few times and may have pulled off a wire.

In any case, watching this thread...

I had similar problems even after replacing all sensors. Found a broken EGR tube - fixed that which made it some better. Finally got it to smooth out by running Chem Tool Gas Treatment through several tanks of fuel. Now I use it every third fill up. I believe Ethanol added to the gasoline is causing most of our rough idle, loss of power problems due to build up of cellulose in the injectors and fpr. Anyway - Mine's good now and I'm happy.

freedom5

 

[dirtybird62]

I've had good results with a bottle of "techtrolene" from Chevron with 1/8 tank of fuel....during my 'process of elimination' I cleaned my K&N air filter and test drove the Ranger without air tube going to filter and it was flawless !! Hasn't ran that good in forever....hooked back air tube/hose and cutting out, jerking resumed ?? A sensor with airfilter underneath ? I will hunt and search more later today. I've read the threads that directly attach K&N to throttle body. I will do that when the funds are there

 

[CaseyVR6]

I ...I believe Ethanol added to the gasoline is causing most of our rough idle, loss of power problems due to build up of cellulose in the injectors and fpr.
freedom5

Cellulose is wood fiber, how would ethanol turn into wood fiber in the injectors? Ethanol is typically used as an injector cleaner and, although it doesn't have the same energy per gram as gasoline, it burns quite well. It does have a "drying" effect on rubber gaskets and diaphragms, but I'm not following.

On another note I did notice a wire had pulled out of my o2 sensor. Going to see if it can be repaired, if not I'll have to replace a relatively new sensor and try to keep the wires better protected from now on. Will follow up once complete.

 

[CaseyVR6]

I replaced the o2 sensor yesterday. I drove the truck 45 minutes into work, several short (5 min) to medium (15 min.) trips throughout the day and the 45 minutes home. No sputtering.

In short, my fix was a new 02 sensor, even though the old one was only 6 months old at most. Could have been a bad sensor, I guess.