99 ranger pinging problem
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99 ranger pinging problem
Greetings to all my Ford Brothers; this is my first post as I'm a newbie to this site. I own a 99 ranger;2.5;5 speed manual trans with about 120,000 mi.
My problem is that at about 50,000mi I started to experience engine ping upon high speed acceleration and always upon inclines, steep and not so steep. It seems to worsen in the higher gears and in warmer weather. I've tried changing filters and plugs and squirting sea-foam into vacuum lines etc. and problem keeps coming back! I also checked for vacuum leaks by spraying starter fluid on just about everything. And replaced forward o2 sensor. I've never changed the Timing belt or Drive belt and was wondering if the problem lies there.
Other than the pinging it seems to run fine. I also tow a small boat; maybe 800lb to local lakes on occasion but pinging doesn't seem to change much.
I've never had a problem passing emissions testing which is only an OBD_II test in this state,(WASHINGTON) and I'm at my wits end. I'd like to take my boat over the mountains to fish but I'm not sure I'd make it. Thanks for any ideas. Jim
My problem is that at about 50,000mi I started to experience engine ping upon high speed acceleration and always upon inclines, steep and not so steep. It seems to worsen in the higher gears and in warmer weather. I've tried changing filters and plugs and squirting sea-foam into vacuum lines etc. and problem keeps coming back! I also checked for vacuum leaks by spraying starter fluid on just about everything. And replaced forward o2 sensor. I've never changed the Timing belt or Drive belt and was wondering if the problem lies there.
Other than the pinging it seems to run fine. I also tow a small boat; maybe 800lb to local lakes on occasion but pinging doesn't seem to change much.
I've never had a problem passing emissions testing which is only an OBD_II test in this state,(WASHINGTON) and I'm at my wits end. I'd like to take my boat over the mountains to fish but I'm not sure I'd make it. Thanks for any ideas. Jim
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Your situation sounds alot like mine! The only difference is that you have tried decarboning your engine and that is the only thing I have not tried. I have taken my truck through dealerships, local mechanics, and have done things myself and nothing has worked. The only thing that has somewhat cured the problem is running 89 octane gas but ive been doing that for about a year now and the pinging is starting to come back little by little.
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From: MARYLAND
I have to use 93 octane in my Ranger...anything else it pings..guess it don't like the cheap stuff.
Don't know what octane you are running..but try running a higher octane. Might even want to try dumping a bottle of Fuel Injector Cleaner in there also.
Don't know what octane you are running..but try running a higher octane. Might even want to try dumping a bottle of Fuel Injector Cleaner in there also.
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I'm running 89 octane most of the time allready and use cleaner often. On the way home from work tonight going up a hill I noticed my battery warning light flashing and found out my alternater (voltage regulator) was giving up the ghost and ammeter was drooping on high acceleration. I've never noticed ammeter waggling before and was wondering if this may be related. Replaced Alt and Drive Belt tonight and will see if it's better tomorrow. thanks JIm
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From: SW Va
Try cleaning the MAF sensor with throttle body, or Radio Shack electrical contact spray cleaners.
There is a read in the forums technical sticky on how to do this.
If the MAF is dirty, it'll cause it's calibration to go out of spec & lie to the computer about the air flow going to the engine.
This can cause the computer to misadjust the fuel/ air ratio lean & that can cause ping too.
If you find this is the problem, look to why the MAF got dirty in the first place.
Look for air tube air leaks past the filter, the filter not seated propely, is damaged, not sized properly, ect.
I read a thread this past week, where someone found for some reason, the Pureolater Ranger air filters don't fit properly, aren't the right shape, or size, any way they aren't right & can leak unfiltered air past the filter.
So if you use the Pureolater filter, or a brand made by them, that could be your root cause problem IMHO
Just some thoughts for consideration.
There is a read in the forums technical sticky on how to do this.
If the MAF is dirty, it'll cause it's calibration to go out of spec & lie to the computer about the air flow going to the engine.
This can cause the computer to misadjust the fuel/ air ratio lean & that can cause ping too.
If you find this is the problem, look to why the MAF got dirty in the first place.
Look for air tube air leaks past the filter, the filter not seated propely, is damaged, not sized properly, ect.
I read a thread this past week, where someone found for some reason, the Pureolater Ranger air filters don't fit properly, aren't the right shape, or size, any way they aren't right & can leak unfiltered air past the filter.
So if you use the Pureolater filter, or a brand made by them, that could be your root cause problem IMHO
Just some thoughts for consideration.
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Thanks for advise on MAF cleaning, but what is a sticky and where do I go to find it? Thanks JIm
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From: SW Va
Click on "Ranger and B-series" at the top of this thread.
That will take you to the forums main page.
The second from the top "read this first" box has all sorts of helpful tech info in there. Enjoy the reads.
That will take you to the forums main page.
The second from the top "read this first" box has all sorts of helpful tech info in there. Enjoy the reads.
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I'm back again; since last reply I have put in new plugs(GRRR!) and changed the fuel filter and low and behold, now when I start engine it lopes for a few minutes before smoothing out. This morning it seemed especially bad so I wiggled a few wires and hoses thinking I dislodged something when doing plugs, but I pulled vacuum line off of EGR and engine smoothed right out. Tried putting vac hose back on and engine died.
after it was warmed up comletely I stopped engine and reattached vac line to egr and restarted ; Engine loped for a couple of seconds then smoothed out.
Is it time to buy a new EGR or can I clean up the old one.? Also how would one test the solinoid for problems? I've never had the check engine light come on, nor do I own an obd-II meter so I don't know if codes are showing or not. Any Ideas?
Jim
after it was warmed up comletely I stopped engine and reattached vac line to egr and restarted ; Engine loped for a couple of seconds then smoothed out.
Is it time to buy a new EGR or can I clean up the old one.? Also how would one test the solinoid for problems? I've never had the check engine light come on, nor do I own an obd-II meter so I don't know if codes are showing or not. Any Ideas?
Jim
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by jbrodie
Is it time to buy a new EGR or can I clean up the old one? Also how would one test the solinoid for problems? I've never had the check engine light come on, nor do I own an obd-II meter so I don't know if codes are showing or not. Any Ideas?
DON'T ask for nor follow any of AZ's advice after you get the codes - just write the numbers down and then post them here and you'll get some good feedack on what to do next.
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scanned motor and nothing showing, could it something to do with fuel filter change? I read another threadf about wiring harness near fuel filter and was wondering if I may have knocked something askew? Although I didn't even notice a wire harness near fuel filter when changing it.(wasn't looking either!) Maybe I picked up some dirt from fuel lines during change? Still scratchin the noggin thanks Jim