used advice

[DangerRanger97]

I recently purchased my first vehicle, a 1997 ford ranger 2.3l. Not to long ago i went to change the air filter and was blown away with what i found a completly black air filter which looked like it was never change. This got me woundering to what else neglected should be replaced/ checked. since i bought it used and it obviously wasn't taken care of to well im conserned for my investment. On another note ive recently ive noticed from dead stop when i floor it ( i know a stupid thing to do) the RPMs only reach 3000 what could this be?

- Any advice is appreciated

 

[Mark_88]

Well, when I got my Zuki I noticed it was really sucking gas for a small truck...figured it should be OK because it passed emissions...when I pulled the air filter it was completely covered with grease...not oil, but black grease...after I changed that I got pretty decent gas mileage...

As far as what to change...check the plugs to see if they're in need of replacement...and do an oil change with a new filter if you haven't done so already...

Not sure about the 3000 RPM...you weren't very clear on that exactly...are you moving forward during this? Do you mean that it only reaches 3000 RPM before it shifts gears (auto tranny) or is that as high as the truck revs in neutral?

 

[DangerRanger97]

im going forward not in neutral
that would make sense for it to change gears at 3000 as it is auto i was trying to get the back tires spinning and usually it revs alot higher

 

[Mark_88]

Ah, OK...the only way to get around the rev limit is to shift manually...but I wouldn't recommend that because you will chew up your transmission pretty quick...the 2.3 is no slouch, but I wouldn't want to push it too much (I did on mine and it didn't like me much after that)...

Manual transmissions are better for that...I've had mine up pretty high (wound out in all gears) and if I had a tach I could elaborate on how high they go...but I think you'd be pushing it if you go over 5000 RPMs...even if the tachs go higher...they operate best between 3000 and 4500 IIRC from the power band chart I saw years ago...

 

[DangerRanger97]

Ive noticed that if i turn and hammer it i can get it to 5000 rpms and the wheels spin decent any suggestions