Fuel Problems?
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Fuel Problems?
I have a 2000 Ranger with a 3.0 (fuel flex) engine. I got 2 different error codes within the last 3 months. I don't remember the first one, but I replaced the DPFE sensor and that seemed to fix that one.Now I have a P-1151 error code. I found that while checking the engine for vaccuum leaks and loose connections, that the right bank of spark plugs( as you face the engine) have a carbon deposits while all of the left side plugs are clean.They were bosch platinum 2 plugs. I cleaned out the MAF sensor with MAF spray, and replaced the plugs. The check engine light is gone for now, but I'm confused on the one side being dirty.You can't even see the right side injectors(hardly). This is gonna cost me isn't it?
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From: SW Va
Welcome to FTE.
The P1151 trouble code is for lack of O2 sensor switching, indicating lean, so the computer has probably tried to enrich the fuel mixture on that bank, to fix what it thinks is a lean condition, because of the corrupt O2 sensor input.
So look to checking the wiring to, or replacing the O2 sensor on that bank.
For what it's worth, Ford engines don't seem to do well with other than Motorcraft or Autolite double platinum spark plugs & wires, probably because of our "waste spark" system works these components Twice as hard & applies a reverse polarity spark to one bank of cylinders, so if that bank doesn't have platinum on it's ground electrode, it'll suffer spark gap erosion plenty fast & we can get misfires on that bank of cylinders.
Anyway take a look in the "Tech info" thread atop this forums thread listing page for a link to "Why Double Platinum Plugs".
Also you'll want to be sure your using the specified Motorcraft plug of the proper heat range for your "flex fuel" engine, to prevent spark knock.
Some thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.
The P1151 trouble code is for lack of O2 sensor switching, indicating lean, so the computer has probably tried to enrich the fuel mixture on that bank, to fix what it thinks is a lean condition, because of the corrupt O2 sensor input.
So look to checking the wiring to, or replacing the O2 sensor on that bank.
For what it's worth, Ford engines don't seem to do well with other than Motorcraft or Autolite double platinum spark plugs & wires, probably because of our "waste spark" system works these components Twice as hard & applies a reverse polarity spark to one bank of cylinders, so if that bank doesn't have platinum on it's ground electrode, it'll suffer spark gap erosion plenty fast & we can get misfires on that bank of cylinders.
Anyway take a look in the "Tech info" thread atop this forums thread listing page for a link to "Why Double Platinum Plugs".
Also you'll want to be sure your using the specified Motorcraft plug of the proper heat range for your "flex fuel" engine, to prevent spark knock.
Some thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.
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Many thanks
Thanks for the reply pawpaw. Was seriously considering the O2 sensor,and or wires. I bought this truck in October,only has 96k miles on it. The previous owner appears to have taken fairly good care of it. They had Mobil1 oil, and the bosch plugs in it. I'm not real informed on "newer" vehicles.Last one I had was an "88" ford Taurus wagon that was in our family since day one, and I drove it until it died.Anyways, When looking in the book I have for this truck, it refers to "upstream" and "downstream" O2 sensors, but I only see one on the bank in question.Are there more than one for each side. Also, the attendant at Autozone sold me Motocraft plugs SP-432 AGSF-32fm. Hope those are correct. Again thanks for the help. Have a good day.
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From: SW Va
Yup there are two O2 sensors on each bank of cyl's on the V engines.
The downstream one is after the cat converter & monitors how well the cat is doing it's job.
The upstream O2 sensor (the one your intersted in), supplies a PID output to the computer on engine combustion efficiency, so the computer uses this PID & other inputs, to control the spark timing & to tell the fuel injectors how long to squirt, to try & keep the air/fuel ratio stoichiometric at 14.7/1.
So if the O2 sesnors PID output to the computer is corrupt, the computer gets confused about what to do about fuel trim for that bank of cyl's.
Look in your owners manual, or on the Motorcraft website for the specified spark plug for your engine.
The downstream one is after the cat converter & monitors how well the cat is doing it's job.
The upstream O2 sensor (the one your intersted in), supplies a PID output to the computer on engine combustion efficiency, so the computer uses this PID & other inputs, to control the spark timing & to tell the fuel injectors how long to squirt, to try & keep the air/fuel ratio stoichiometric at 14.7/1.
So if the O2 sesnors PID output to the computer is corrupt, the computer gets confused about what to do about fuel trim for that bank of cyl's.
Look in your owners manual, or on the Motorcraft website for the specified spark plug for your engine.
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From: SW Va
If the O2 sensors wiring & connector contacts seem to check out ok, pull the O2 sensor & test it's ouput with a propane torch & a multimeter, before replacing it.
If the O2 sensor checks out ok. then back to it's wiring, for a end to end continuity check from the O2 sensor up to the computers input connector on the firewall.
If the O2 sensor checks out ok. then back to it's wiring, for a end to end continuity check from the O2 sensor up to the computers input connector on the firewall.
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