97 Ranger Running Lean?
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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97 Ranger Running Lean?
Im about to buy a 97 ranger with 88k miles on it. The guy said the check engine light has been on and off for about 2 years. He had it fixed about 3 times and it still keeps coming back, each time he has got it fixed it has never effected the trucks performance and he drives it everyday. The test said that the truck was running lean, so any idea what that could be? I was thinking something witht the o2 sensor. How much would it cost to fix something like this? Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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If its not the censor it might just be a plug with bad wiring.
My dads Ford f 350 had the same problem. He drove every day carrying a trailer with 3-7 thousand pounds on it. Anyway the check engine light was on for like 4 years. He finally took it into the shop because he was getting a little worried because 4 years whent by and nothing happened. So anyway the mechanic told him that the wiring to one of the fuses was unplugged.
So in your case the wiring could be unplugged but when the guy drives it the wires might connect and turn the light on and off.
My dads Ford f 350 had the same problem. He drove every day carrying a trailer with 3-7 thousand pounds on it. Anyway the check engine light was on for like 4 years. He finally took it into the shop because he was getting a little worried because 4 years whent by and nothing happened. So anyway the mechanic told him that the wiring to one of the fuses was unplugged.
So in your case the wiring could be unplugged but when the guy drives it the wires might connect and turn the light on and off.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
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From: South Jersey
Welcome to FTE!!!
It's hard to say whats wrong, the CEL could mean so may things. Maybe you can get him to go to a parts store and get them pulled for free and then post the code number(s) here and that would give us an idea about whats wrong.
It's hard to say whats wrong, the CEL could mean so may things. Maybe you can get him to go to a parts store and get them pulled for free and then post the code number(s) here and that would give us an idea about whats wrong.
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Yea maybe I can get him to. If he drives it everyday and nothing has affected it then maybe it is not huge problem. I know for a fact he took good care of it because I have talked to people that know him and have rode in his truck before.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Welcome to FTE!
Like Ken says, there are more than a few things that could cause a lean condition. But first, which engine are we talking about?
A vacuum/air leak, a misbehaving PCV system, leaky intake gaskets, even an exhaust leak, all could cause an engine to run lean.
A dirty MAF can cause an engine to run lean. See: Cleaning the MAF sensor.
Some of the 1997 4.0L's had problems with the fuel supply manifold gasket (not real hard to replace, btw):
Article No. 98-6-8
LIGHT TRUCK: 1997 AEROSTAR, RANGER 4.0L ENGINES ONLY
ISSUE:
A rough idle, stalling at an idle and/or Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0171, P0174, P1131, and/or P1151 may be stored in memory on some vehicles with a 4.0L engine. This may be caused by the gasket located between the fuel rail and lower intake manifold losing its compressive loading and becoming drawn into the intake manifold runners resulting in a vacuum leak.
ACTION:
Replace the fuel rail-to-intake manifold paper gasket with a revised gasket.
....
Like Ken says, there are more than a few things that could cause a lean condition. But first, which engine are we talking about?
A vacuum/air leak, a misbehaving PCV system, leaky intake gaskets, even an exhaust leak, all could cause an engine to run lean.
A dirty MAF can cause an engine to run lean. See: Cleaning the MAF sensor.
Some of the 1997 4.0L's had problems with the fuel supply manifold gasket (not real hard to replace, btw):
Article No. 98-6-8
LIGHT TRUCK: 1997 AEROSTAR, RANGER 4.0L ENGINES ONLY
ISSUE:
A rough idle, stalling at an idle and/or Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0171, P0174, P1131, and/or P1151 may be stored in memory on some vehicles with a 4.0L engine. This may be caused by the gasket located between the fuel rail and lower intake manifold losing its compressive loading and becoming drawn into the intake manifold runners resulting in a vacuum leak.
ACTION:
Replace the fuel rail-to-intake manifold paper gasket with a revised gasket.
....
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Unless you are getting a great deal on this truck to buy it as is. I would have the owner get it fixed. As said previously it could be a number of things, but finding that one thing can be costly if your have a shop do it. If you do it yourself it can cost less, but still be very time consuming.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Not bad, can be easy to fix. Go ahead and have a shop look at it before buying, if they determine what it is, replace it yourself. Great way to start working on your Ranger, though admittantly it won't need a lot of work. It is a Ford, afterall...
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