2.9L wierd random stutter
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2.9L wierd random stutter
I have a 1988 Ford Ranger Supercab 4x4 with a 2.9L engine. The truck runs good more often than not, but every now and then it has a random stutter to it. It doesn't seem to make a difference whether it is wet or dry weather, whether it's at an idle or under load (as in up a hill) or decelarating downhill for that matter. It sometimes does it several times in one day, or it may go for a few days to maybe as much as a week and never act up at all.
The "stutter" itself feels to me almost as if it is running out of gas, but it blows black smoke so perhaps it is getting too much gas? Bad plug wires COULD make it feel like this, but to me it just seems more like a fuel problem. Since it has been having this problem, both fuel pumps (I think there is a return pump on the frame, but I could be wrong) and filters have been changed. The plugs and plug wires, cap, ignition rotor, etc have also been changed. I think that the tps has also been changed. Could a bad injector or fuel pressure regulator cause such erratic symptom? thanks for all your input.
Joe
P.S. I posted this in this forum as opposed to the ranger forum because mainly what is talked about in there are newer model rangers. Having just traded my 87 Bronco II for this ranger I know that they are the same truck with a different body and frame. Anyway...I think I am just gonna stick with this forum if that's ok with y'all because I know that almost everyone in here has a vehicle with the same or similar engine and year model as mine.
The "stutter" itself feels to me almost as if it is running out of gas, but it blows black smoke so perhaps it is getting too much gas? Bad plug wires COULD make it feel like this, but to me it just seems more like a fuel problem. Since it has been having this problem, both fuel pumps (I think there is a return pump on the frame, but I could be wrong) and filters have been changed. The plugs and plug wires, cap, ignition rotor, etc have also been changed. I think that the tps has also been changed. Could a bad injector or fuel pressure regulator cause such erratic symptom? thanks for all your input.
Joe
P.S. I posted this in this forum as opposed to the ranger forum because mainly what is talked about in there are newer model rangers. Having just traded my 87 Bronco II for this ranger I know that they are the same truck with a different body and frame. Anyway...I think I am just gonna stick with this forum if that's ok with y'all because I know that almost everyone in here has a vehicle with the same or similar engine and year model as mine.
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Is there just one 02 sensor on the 2.9's? If so where, approx, is it [are they] located? The guy who owned this truck before me gutted out the catylitic converter....will that do any harm to my engine or possibly affect the 02 or in any way have something to do with this problem?
I have heard that some engines have to have a certain amount of backpressure from the exhaust system (i.e. cat)...but I have never really heard of what happens if they don't.
Joe
I have heard that some engines have to have a certain amount of backpressure from the exhaust system (i.e. cat)...but I have never really heard of what happens if they don't.
Joe
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: South Jersey
The O2 on my 1989 was on the passengers side just as the pipe got down to the frame, on the top side of the pipe. The wire connector is hard to get out, its up behind the engine.
Gutted cats (without a through pipe) cause more back pressure than a good working cat, when the exhaust gases enter the empty cat they expand and cool, hot gases flow better than cool ones. You also lose the pulses which also help them flow.
Gutted cats (without a through pipe) cause more back pressure than a good working cat, when the exhaust gases enter the empty cat they expand and cool, hot gases flow better than cool ones. You also lose the pulses which also help them flow.
