I have '99 Ranger, 3.0, 5-speed manual, 4x4 with 151,000 miles. Driven mostly on interstate for my 90 mile round trip commute.

In the past month or so, there has been about 3 or 4 times when it was hard to start. Finally have to pump the gas peddle a little to get it to start. When it finally starts there is quite a bit of smoke for just a few seconds. I dont think it is real dark black smoke, maybe bluish, will need to watch closer next time it happens. I think 2 or 3 of the times this occurred in the morning, today it happenned when I was leaving work late in the afternoon. Not real cold out either, probably 40 degrees.

Usually, it starts right up with no smoke. Even when down around 0 degrees.

Only thing different, that I can think of is that this started happening after my last oil change. I usually use valvoline 5w30 durablend on 3000 mile interval with a FL100S filter. This time I used the Ford synthetic blend in same weight because walmart was out of the durablend. I dont see how this could cause a problem, but it is the only variable.

I am sure it is something else and the oil is just a conincidence. I will use durablend next time though.

I have thought about bad gas, but it does not seem to coincide with a fill up. It happenned today when I started up after work. That is about the 3rd or fourth time over many starts and tanks of gas.

Any ideas as to what is going on here ???

 

I figured there would be at least a few suggestions or ideas on what could be causing this starting problem.

Doesnt anybody have any ideas of what to look for ?

 

An intermitant problem like this is going to be hard to track down, it couldn't hurt to pull the codes and check the fuel pressure.

 

Yea, I thought about fuel. Havent changed the fuel filter for quite awhile, might try that.

Plugs have about 50k on them. I have never done anything like cleaning the MAF. I have heard of those and that they need cleaning sometimes. Could it be something like that ?

Where is the MAF, and how would I got about checking on it ?

 

CLEAN THE MAF! lol. It's in the intake tube, right next to the filter box, and has a plug with I think four wires coming out. On mine anyways it does. It's obvious. How about fuel filter, air filter, plugs might as well, wires too!
Blue smoke isn't a good sign though, that's oil if I remember correctly.

 

I have had same problem with my 03 2.3. I replaced air filter and cleaned MAF sensor. So far it seems to have helped.

 

I little bit of blue smoke at start-up would indicate a little oil finding it way down the valve guides after it's shut off.

I would regap the plugs, do the fuel filter and clean the MAF and see how she runs. The MAF is the thing between the air filter box and the rubber hose that runs over to the engine. You'll need a special torx bit to get the senser out of the housing, should be able to find that at the parts store. Follow the procedure in the tech info thread.

 

lol yes I was right! It's been a while....

 

Thanks for the info on the MAF

Not sure if it is blue smoke or not. Could have been dark gray or black.

My old '88 suburban did the smoke on startup, every time. It was the valve seals. Replaced the seals 50K miles ago, and still no more smoke.

Not sure what is going on with the ranger, I doubt if it is valve seals as it has only done it about 4 times out of probaly 100 or more starts. I think the smoke is from when I have to pump the gas to get it started (only pumped it these 4 times to get it to start). So it is probably fexcessive fuel causing the smoke.

Runs fine at 80+ mph on the interstate, I dont think it is a fuel pump. Gets about 23 to 26 mpg. That is pretty good from what I have read on this forumn for a 3.0 4x4. But I dont know much about MAF, fuel injectors etc.

It has been about 30K since the last fuel filter, so I think I will replace it.

Original plugs, I replaced at 110,000, it was running fine then. Only reason I replaced was that I had heard that if you leave them in too long you might have a hard time gettng them out. So the plugs only have about 40k, dont think I will replace those yet.

Probably could use an air filter now too.

It will probably never happen again, after I do a few things and I will never know what it was.

 

how do u clean the MAF, with some electrical cleaner?

 

You are flooding it out and that is why it smokes on start up. I bet it's just loading with fuel. When you floor a fuel injected vehicle, it tells the computer to shut the fuel off. When you hold the pedal half throttle, it tell it to load it with fuel.

It really sounds like a sensor problem or spark problem. You are getting plenty of fuel by the sounds of it. I don't think you have anything to worry about with the oil. You might get a little blue on startup because synthetic oil is very thin but it sticks and coats VERY well. If your seals are old and you use synthetic, sometimes a bunch of leaks will spring up because it's so thin. Clean everything out and then go out and bag on it like usual . If you treat your ride too good, they always break down on you haha.

 

Yes, there are more details in the tech info thread at the top of this forum.