I'm still trying to track down the main culprit of my power loss on my 98 Ranger. I use to have a chip, cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, accel ignition, and a throttle body spacer. Well I took out the chip because or gas prices and computer errors, did away with the cold air intake, because it cracked my radiator where it was suppose to be supported, and the throttle body spacer that didn't have any affect and didn't fit right. So now I have an Accel Kool Blue OEM fit air filter, the Accel Ignition, and the Dynomax cat-back exhaust. Speed is fine, and general power has been good. But I have something that's killing take-off power and up to 70mph a general loss of power. Stumble between 50-70. I replaced the MAF sensor because a mechanic checked it out and said it was leaking and the Check Engine Light was on. I replaced it and erased that code and have driven 225 miles without it coming back on. Still there is a power loss. I was thinking a vacuum leak still. Well today I noticed the PCV valve was just sitting ontop of the grommet. So I put it back in, but it doesn't stay snug. So it's probably popping up and loosing vacuum. It's a Motorcraft replacement valve that hasn't been in there but 18,000 miles. It's still good it just won't stay in tight. I looked and I didn't see any grommet cracks. Can you even replace this grommet? It's the 2.5L where the PCV is between two runners on the intake near the valve cover. It's kinda hard to get to. Would a metal PCV stay in tighter? Anyone else have this problem yet? I'm at 198,000 miles.

 

Normally you can get a replacement grommet for the pcv valve. The best way to figure out if you have a vacuum leak at the pcv valve would be to start the truck and spray some brake cleaner or carb cleaner on the valve and around the base of the grommet. If the truck idles higher for a few seconds or starts to bog down then that can help determine if the valve is sealing off properly. Also check the pcv valve line. Ford is prone to have those develop holes in the rubber. Good luck.

 

If it keeps poppin' out you might replace the grommet. Dealer part. Aftermarket part might be cheaper, but I cant begin to suggest what!!! There's a shoulder on the PCV valve to keep it it in there, so it's gotta be the grommet. As long as the vaccum line to the PCV is good, it should'nt have that big a deal on performance at the higher RPM's. Just at idle if anything.

Fred