1999 Ford Ranger Lady needs assistance. Engine performanc

Tiny
POSEIDON_92
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 38,850 MILES
Hi,
I can only assume that I recently got some bad gas and I have added a fuel additive and the problem has only gotten worse. Now my truck idles really rough and when I accelerate it sputters (at any mph). What could this be? I was thinking possibly fuel pump but with so few miles what else could this be? If it is a fuel pump any idea on how much that might cost?

Thanks!
Sunday, January 4th, 2009 AT 11:02 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Doesn't sound like a fuel pump issue. You can check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail with a fuel pressure gauge to rule out a faulty fuel pump. It sounds like it may be a faulty or clogged fuel injector(s). Run some fuel injection cleaner through the system and see if it helps. If so, run another bottle through the system to get the rest of the gunk out of the injectors. You also should check the sparks at the plugs. If the spark is bright blue then you know plugs are good, if spark is not present or is dull orange, replace plugs and wires.

Post your results and I will follow up.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
POSEIDON_92
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Well I took it to my mechanics today and they said they drove it around on and off all day and had no problems and could not feel anything. When I picked the truck up I spoke with a few of the guys and they said it does sound like I may have gotten a bad tank of gas and since I've already added one additive in a new tank, that my next fill up they would suggest using the next grade up of gas and see if that works, and then if not to bring it back in. Before I took it in I changed out the air filter, spark plugs and wires.
We'll see if this works. Any other suggestions or any additives that are pretty good I'll happily take.
-Kris
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
So you mean thte mechanics didn't feel it idling poorly? If the poor idle is getting better than it probably was just bad fuel. It happens sometimes.

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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
POSEIDON_92
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Right. They said they didn't feel anything out of the ordinary for a truck. I'm going to assume it's bad fuel, and next fill up use the next grade up of gas and see if that helps at all.
Thanks for all your help!
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
98RANGERXLT
  • MECHANIC
  • 301 POSTS
There is some stuff called lucas fuel injector cleaner it willl be in a clear bottle it the fuel additive section I use this in my truck it works good get a bottle of this and pour it in.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
POSEIDON_92
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks. I'll give anything a try right now. I just filled up with some PLUS gas so we'll see. It doesn't quite seem to be helping and I am getting really frustrated. Will it matter if I use that fuel additive with PLUS gas?
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
No, that will not hurt anything.

But from the sound of it, it is still acting the same way it did when you originally posted your issue and before the mechanic looked at it?

So if the high octane fuel does not help, I suggest having a different mechanic look at it, because you said the last one stated it was driving normal? If it is idling poorly then it is certainly not driving normal so I don't understand why the mechanic did not detect an issue.

Post the results of the high octane fuel & fuel injection cleaner after you have ran it through the tank completely and I will follow up.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Hi there,

Like previously suggested, you should check your fuel pressure to rule out (or not) a fuel delivery issue. Don't assume your fuel pump is okay because the car has low mileage.
A quick check you can do: remove the vacuum line on top of your fuel pressure regulator and look inside the line; if it's wet with gas, replace the regulator.
If you've been filling up your tank with cheap gas for a long time, your fuel system could very well be clogged. Running some cleaner may help, but it probably won't help in case of a clogged fuel filter.
Anyway, check your fuel pressure and let us know what you find out.

You said you replaced the plugs and wires, so I'm going to assume it's not the problem. However, were the plugs wet when you replaced them?
If so, a leaky fuel injector or defective coolant sensor could be the problem.

Also, hook up a scanner and check for trouble codes (either hard codes or pending ones); it may help pinpointing the problem.

I would also check for vacuum leaks. A vacuum leak will result in rough idle. A defective egr valve or pcv hose/valve will have the same effect as well.

I'm just throwing a few more ideas, because if it's not a bad gas problem you're just wasting your time pouring one fuel additive after another (although it never hurts to clean your fuel injection system :) )

Like previously suggested, you should find another mechanic to help you diagnose the problem.

Good luck
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM

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