4.0L Engine Miss
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4.0L Engine Miss
I have a 1998 Ford Ranger with a 4.0L V-6. I am very happy with my truck except for one thing. The motor has a terrible miss whenever I accelerate to go up a hill or try to pass someone on the freeway, for example. Does any one know what may be causing this problem?
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
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Sounds like a plug or a wire is bad. Or if this is COP equipped then a bad COP module. When was your last tune up I know these are the pits to change plugs in but unless you can put it on a O-Scope and find the offending clyinder then a visual check is what I would start with.
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From: Maine
Has it always done this? How many miles? Do you get any pinging associated with the miss? Is the check engine light on?
First thing I'd try would be a tune up: plugs and wires, fuel and air filters, etc.
First thing I'd try would be a tune up: plugs and wires, fuel and air filters, etc.
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It has 90,000 miles and it has gotten progressively worse. I put new plug wires on it and it seemed to help. However, I did not have any connector grease and used WD-40 instead, and a friend told me that this would hurt the plug wires. COuld I have ruined the plug wires when i did this? Thanks everybody.
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by JW3352
I have a 1998 Ford Ranger with a 4.0L V-6. I am very happy with my truck except for one thing. The motor has a terrible miss whenever I accelerate to go up a hill or try to pass someone on the freeway, for example. Does any one know what may be causing this problem?
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Post Fiend
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by JW3352
It has 90,000 miles and it has gotten progressively worse. I put new plug wires on it and it seemed to help. However, I did not have any connector grease and used WD-40 instead, and a friend told me that this would hurt the plug wires. COuld I have ruined the plug wires when i did this? Thanks everybody.
How about the spark plugs? Did you change them? What did the old ones look like? How old is the fuel filter?
You might also try cleaning your MAF sensor: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=126093
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
No WD-40 shouldn't have hurt the plug wires or prevented the plugs from firing, you do need to get some grease under there though. Might just go ahead and replace the plugs and wires.
Any codes? Go to Autozone and let them pull 'em and see what they report, don't let them sell you anything though.
Any codes? Go to Autozone and let them pull 'em and see what they report, don't let them sell you anything though.
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I replaced the plugs about a year ago and the old plugs were pretty well shot. Several months later I put the new plug wires on. I have also put a K&N Air Filter on, however, the fuel filter has never been changed as long as I have owned the truck.
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From: northeast PA
What kind of plugs did you install? I've had those same symptoms it the past after installing Bosch platinium plugs which barely lasted 15k. The last set were Autolite Double Plat. that cost twice as much but worth it in the long run. It seem as though the 4.0 likes the dbl plat plugs.
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
The K&N only messes up the mass airflow sensor if it's over oiled, oiled on the inside, or gets wet and washes oil onto the maf. I would suspect the same as everyone else. Bad plug or wire or a dirty maf. The diagnose a misfire, leave the truck running and carefully pull off one plug wire at a time and put it back on untill you pull one and the engine idle doesnt change. It's an old trick but works good. Be careful though cause if the end of the wire gets too close to your skin it shocks the crap out of you. It wont kill you (as long as you dont have a pace maker) but it's not pleasant.
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