Hello people! New Ranger owner here, though not new to FTE.

So, long story short, I scored a free 87 Ranger extended cab on Craigslist yesterday. One of the issues it was having was that it idled unevenly, and often tried to stall, or race in neutral. As part of the "new to me vehicle" process, I wanted to Seafoam the engine. I got the spray, simply because I find it easier to use. I put the spray tube into the throttle body, reconnected the intake, and started the truck. Using the throttle linkage, I revved the engine a little bit and started spraying. I've done this plenty of times before, so I wasn't really paying attention, until about half way through, I noticed the engine note hadn't changed, and there was no smoke coming from the exhaust. I finished up the can and cut the truck off for 5-10 minutes. When I started it back up, it fired right up and ran normally, again, no smoke. I then noticed some fluid dripping out of the air box... Yep, you guessed it, somehow all the Seafoam (or at least the massive majority of it, ended up being sucked down the air return line to what I guess is the IACV, mounted on the side of the air box, connected to the other end of the return tube. So, WTF? Why did that happen? How do I prevent that from happening the next time I try this?

On a side note, I noticed the vac lines for the MAP sensor were completely rotten and cracked. I replaced those, and it's running and idling MUCH better now. I'd still like to Seafoam it though. Advice?

 

i just read about this over on trs, id try pulling off a vaccum line and sprying right into the line, i dont remember the vac line layout on the 2.3 but id think any line that has vaccum would work. ive heard of others using the can of seafoam and using the brake booster line to draw fluid from. id be carefull doing that with the non-areosol can, dont want to hydrolock the motor, compressing liquid (or attempting to) really wrecks things...

 

Yes, if all else fails, I will use the brake booster line and the non aerosol Seafoam, but I wanted it to try to clean up the throttle body a bit by using the spray. I'm mostly curious as to why that happened, if it's normal and why that stupid second line is even there.

 

they make a specific spray for throttle bodies, ive seen it at tsc before, ive never used it, before i knew they made the stuff i just used spray carb cleaner on mine, no i'll effects but ive read after i did that that i shouldnt have, something about removeing some protective coating...it is odd what had happened, ive never heard of something like that happening before.

 

Ok,, If I knew what an IACVLMNOP was, I might be able to help, but I gots nuthin!

 

Idle air control valve

 

I've bought this kit awhile back and it works well.

 

Sir, did you buy this from one of the auto part chain stores?

 

You said you reconnected the intake! Normally leave it disconnected and run the engine spraying the throttle valve and down into the opening of the TB. Spray in before starting to begin the process. Start then spray as the engine runs!

As to the kits, just use seafoam or the type above and stick a hose into the can and it will suck it all out. Autozone has/had the SF for about $6-7 a can on sale. The other stuff is generally a $1 or 2 less than the SF and works almost as well. Run the can thru and then leave off for about 30 mins.

Actually you can disconnect the idle air electronics and see if there is any change. Mine has been disconnected for almost 200000 miles with no problems. Seems there is a short wire in the system that it connects to and no one can find it and I dont want to tear the wire harness aprt to find. Had to run the idle up a little but that was it!

 

Thanks! Was having a total brain fart!

 

Yeah I bought it at autozone.

 

Okay, thanks.