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Old 09-21-2016, 07:51 PM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

I think I've viewed just about every thread on this topic, for both the 3.0 and 4.0. I've got symptoms that don't currently match up identically to any solved threads, and am not financially able to start replacing my entire emission system. That is where I believe my problem is.

I have a 2000 Ranger, 3.0 FF with an automatic and 4x4, with 141k miles. The truck has had pinging problems throughout my ownership, that I only just realized was engine pinging (It sounded like it was coming from the trans and would only happen at a certain speed and rpm). The truck now does this on a regular basis when at high speeds of under too much load. If I back off the throttle and bring the rpms down even slightly I can find a speed that does not produce the noise. Hard acceleration though and it sounds like glass churning in the cylinders.

On startup the last few weeks, the engine started and would idle rough for about thirty seconds, and then balance out between 1000-1100 rpms (this seems to be a high idle as per other ranger owners, though I think that's where all my rangers idled). This is when I started looking for problems, bought a scan tool even though it isn't throwing any codes, and monitored a few systems. That didn't help much, as fuel trims in percentages don't mean much to me. I wanted to see something say lean somewhere but the computers not picking that up. I changed the fuel filter, then fuel vapor lines that looked like they were crumbling. They came out under the intake manifold near the front of the bay and fed to some sort of egr part near the battery. I removed the fuse to the fuel pump while running to get as much fuel pressure out of the lines as I could (hope that didn't affect anything). Didn't change much. Next day I took the negative terminal off to try and relearn some fuel air values. When starting the truck after this I began experiencing a sticking idle holding at about 1500 rpms. Truck wanted to go as soon as let off the brake, and then after accelerating a little, would sill be holding the 1500 mark, pushing me up the road with my foot off the gas. Now it wasn't stuck, as I could get it to come down with brake, and if at a stop, would slowly bring itself down to 1300.

In an attempt to remedy the rough idle, the mass air flow sensor was cleaned with maf cleaner. After installing it, the truck started with a slightly higher idle than normal. It spiked to maybe 1300 and then slowly lowered to 1100. Next was cleaning the iac using the same maf cleaner. I then changed the PCV Valve that hadn't been changed in the 20k miles I've owned it. That didn't do much for the rough starts or sticking throttle. The truck acts as if it has a vacuum leak, but I've gone through a full a can of carb cleaner searching for leaks and found nothing.

I'm thinking it is a faulty sensor or valve somewhere in the emission system due to the symptoms. No vacuum leak at idle (to my knowledge) but when increasing engine load there is a lack of power, and what I consider a very slow return to idle. There is a whooshing sound on acceleration sometimes but is not there unless the truck is accelerating on the road (can't be heard if raising engine speed in park)
I think exhaust vapor circulation is throwing something off. I have a also noticed the smell of fuel at times while driving slowly with the windows down. I'll say the smell could be other vehicles in front of me at the time, and is not a constant, though it would lead me to believe these fuel vapors are escaping from somewhere, but somehow without alerting the computer.

Any direction would be appreciated

Thanks,
Broke ass engineering student

Last edited by 93 XLT; 09-21-2016 at 08:27 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-22-2016, 10:07 AM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

New info. Today at the drive thru I noticed the idle was lower than normal, actually about 800. Noticed the wheel was cut and power steering pump was under pressure. When I straightened it out the idle came back up to 950. Does this pinpoint an iac problem being that it should maintain rpms under the extra load of Ac or p/s? Could this still be caused by something out? Please guys, I'm starting to lose my mind.
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Old 09-22-2016, 10:54 AM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

Sounds like the iac isn't maintaining rpm, does it drop with ac on? I'd replace the iac, get oem motorcraft or napa which have the proper iac port opening size in the gasket. Duralast and oriely brand have a larger opening that causes a high idle like you already have.
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HELL TO THE NO!! Abort abort abort!! That's the first thing to go!!! Ewwwww! I'm not no vampire! I don't enjoy red tea
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Old 09-22-2016, 11:47 AM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

I'm going to purchase one online tonight, but looking on rock auto it doesn't say anything about a gasket coming with the motorcraft iac valve. Do you know a part number for that specific gasket with the proper opening?
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Old 09-22-2016, 12:52 PM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

New readings from scanner.
Timing advance to cylinder 1 goes from 12 degrees up 16 when the AC is turned on. It goes from 12-20 if I cut the steering at wheel at a stop
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Old 09-24-2016, 07:59 PM
stateranger stateranger is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

Quote:
Originally Posted by 93 XLT View Post
I'm going to purchase one online tonight, but looking on rock auto it doesn't say anything about a gasket coming with the motorcraft iac valve. Do you know a part number for that specific gasket with the proper opening?




Sometimes motorcraft ones come with a gasket sometimes they don't.

Gasket from napa.
https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p...216_0232214234
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Old 09-25-2016, 03:43 PM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

Thanks for the reply. I ordered the motorcraft iac and then the motorcraft gasket. Parts should be here Tuesday and I'll see if that helps things. The more I drive it though the more I think it's fuel related. Starting to hear an occasional whine from what i think is my fuel pump. Can't be heard at idle, but is audible while driving. I'll be doing a fuel pressure test if the iac doesn't correct the issue, or whenever I get my hands on a gauge.

I also cleaned my egr valve which I thought made a difference in how smooth the engine was running, until I switched back to 87 from 89 octane. I'm getting tired of paying that extra 40-50 cents a gallon, but it really seems to be a hell of a band aid for the issues.
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Old 09-28-2016, 02:10 PM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

Changed the iac and noticed a drop in rpm at idle. Down to a nice 900. Occasionally on startup though it still sticks at around the 1500 rpm mark. If I shift into drive with my foot on the brake though the idle then drops. This symptom seems clearer now that I know the iac is functioning. Taking that it consideration along with my original symptoms of lack of power at higher speeds, I'm leaning more towards a torque converter. Can anybody weigh in? I may have to make a new thread in transmission section. Thanks for your patience with my wandering mind
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Old 10-07-2016, 12:44 PM
93 XLT 93 XLT is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 Power Loss, Rough Idle, Slight Idle Stick

Well, I guess I'm done changing stuff for now. I am waiting to bring the truck to my mechanic to have him confirm a gasket leak. Checked the radiator and it was low on coolant and full of brown gunk, topped it off and filled the overflow tank about half way. The overflow tank is bubbling once every few seconds after I shut the truck off. Don't believe it's a head gasket though since it doesn't bubble in the radiator when it's running with the cap off. There is also a very small amount of coolant near the timing chain cover. Hoping it's just the lower intake gasket. On a possibly unrelated note, the oil pans rubber gasket appears to be sticking out of the front of the engine. It's still holding oil pressure. Weird.
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