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  #1  
Old 09-12-2018, 06:09 PM
mfernandes mfernandes is offline
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Default Exhaust fuel smell + bad MPG

ok, please read carefully, as I think my scenario is different or more tricky from others.

Problem: exhaust fumes with gasoline smell and bad MPG

My truck is a 1996 Ranger XLT, 3.0 liter engine 5 speed manual, 71800 original miles.

Consider this:

1- OIL: Castrol Magnatec 5W-30 full synthetic, always meticously changed every 3000 miles (ALWAYS). The oil filter is the recommended Motorcraft FL-400S. Last oil change was on 17/02/18, 1200 miles ago.

2- FUEL FILTER: Original Motorcraft FG-872, replaced 2 years ago (02/17/2016)

3- SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES: Both original Motorcraft replaced 01/21/2012 (the truck back then had 51.200 miles)

4- PCV VALVE: Original Motorcraft replaced with last oil change (1200 miles ago)

5- SEA FOAM: Before last oil change, 1200 miles ago

6- DRIVING HABITS: Normal, I dont have lead foot and as its manual transmission I always do 2000-2500 rpm on every gear change.

7- TIRES: brand new BFGoodrich Radial T/A 225 / 70 R14 always with 30 PSI tire pressure. All 4 tires were replaced last 04/23/2018 (truck had 70000 miles back then

8- AIR FILTER: Always original Motorcraft. This year I installed an K&N drop-in filter, which I removed just a couple of days ago and return to the stock Motorcraft (to eliminate possibilities)

9- MAF/IAC/THROTLE BODY: cleaned recently and properly

10- EXHAUST AND 02 SENSORS: I have a dual exhaust (original diameter) with a Flowmaster Super 50 muffler. NO CATS! Iam from south america, and imported US rangers came here with cats delete from factory (says on the manual and VIN tag). As these trucks came with no cats from factory, obviously they came with no O2 sensors. BUT, I added both upstream O2 sensors (Motorcraft DY-800) back on 06/12/2013. What I did was to remove the O2 dummy sensors and replaced them with the propper O2 sensors. Back then I could feel better MPGs.

NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I have a simple OBDII scanner and there are no codes

During the last months and last months ONLY, my truck became more thirsty and a strong gasoline smell is clearly noticeable on the exhaust fumes.

Question is;
where can the problem be?

Can the drop-in K&N filter mess with the computer making the engine running rich?

Last week the famous camshaft syncronizer started to "sing". I already ordered a syncronizer and sensor from rockauto.

Any idea is welcome and Ill try to answer as soon as possible as well as giving more details if needed.

Thanks a lot!
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Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"

Last edited by mfernandes; 09-12-2018 at 06:12 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-13-2018, 12:11 AM
Undrstm8ed Undrstm8ed is offline
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Default Re: Exhaust fuel smell + bad MPG

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
1- OIL: Castrol Magnatec 5W-30 full synthetic, always meticously changed every 3000 miles (ALWAYS). The oil filter is the recommended Motorcraft FL-400S. Last oil change was on 17/02/18, 1200 miles ago.
Waste of time, money, and energy, let alone a waste of oil. If you're using Synthetic based oils 7500-9000 miles is actually reasonable with life left over. If' you have more urban areas than rural I'd push for the 9000 miles especially if you NEVER upshift at anything above 2500 RPMS..; 7500-6000 miles if you're in a more rural area and see a lot of dirt

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
2- FUEL FILTER: Original Motorcraft FG-872, replaced 2 years ago (02/17/2016)
Should be a item you swap out every 2 years in normal situations but maybe more often if my last comment rings more true.*

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
3- SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES: Both original Motorcraft replaced 01/21/2012 (the truck back then had 51.200 miles)
There are better plug options, but motorcraft would be the best reference point for stock. I used to change mine out every 6 months, I been lazy last 2 years but mine are over due.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
4- PCV VALVE: Original Motorcraft replaced with last oil change (1200 miles ago)
If you shake it, and it rattles - It's good unless physical issues show otherwise.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
5- SEA FOAM: Before last oil change, 1200 miles ago


Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
6- DRIVING HABITS: Normal, I dont have lead foot and as its manual transmission I always do 2000-2500 rpm on every gear change.
My lil sister rows through gears more like a man than you.. jk But in graphic response, this is what comes to mind:



My ex Mother in law did the same thing with her cars and she would constantly glaze the brakes and never get the catalytic converters hot enough to burn up or clear them out. I'd have to take her car out for a 20 min joyride almost and just shake the car down and it would be fine for 2-3 months.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
7- TIRES: brand new BFGoodrich Radial T/A 225 / 70 R14 always with 30 PSI tire pressure. All 4 tires were replaced last 04/23/2018 (truck had 70000 miles back then
Moot - However, My suggestion would be to try different pressures. like 32-34 PSI up front and 35-37 PSI in the rear, recalculate your mileage by the full tank.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
8- AIR FILTER: Always original Motorcraft. This year I installed an K&N drop-in filter, which I removed just a couple of days ago and return to the stock Motorcraft (to eliminate possibilities)
Again, Moot - (K&N) Should actually increase your MPG due to it being less restrictive than the paper filter and actually being able to pump more air through the engine utilizing the cat-less exhaust you do have as a more uncorked and free-flowing exhaust system especiall after adding a Flowmaster 50 in to the mix.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
9- MAF/IAC/THROTLE BODY: cleaned recently and properly
But you said you had no codes... Logic would dictate this as aa wasteful step in diagnosis

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
10- EXHAUST AND 02 SENSORS: I have a dual exhaust (original diameter) with a Flowmaster Super 50 muffler. NO CATS! Iam from south america, and imported US rangers came here with cats delete from factory (says on the manual and VIN tag). As these trucks came with no cats from factory, obviously they came with no O2 sensors. BUT, I added both upstream O2 sensors (Motorcraft DY-800) back on 06/12/2013. What I did was to remove the O2 dummy sensors and replaced them with the propper O2 sensors. Back then I could feel better MPGs.
Interesting

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I have a simple OBDII scanner and there are no codes
But yet you cleaned sensors for ... no... reason... as stated above?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfernandes View Post
Can the drop-in K&N filter mess with the computer making the engine running rich?
Negative, Computer is going to adjust for a 5-10% variance of the OEM A/F maps pre-programmed into the ECU. The little bit more airflow will demand a spot of more fuel (maybe) and with the exhaust calcualte A/F trim rations along with ignition timing to get a lil better oooomph out of the truck.. maybe 9-14 hp between the two without any real way to tune it per se.


My question is now. Do you smell this in the exhaust wafting from the tail pipe, near the Fuel tank door, or closer to the engine bay (specifically on the drivers side)?

If it were me, which it has been. I would be looking at a damaged/dirty purge canister OR purge solenoid itself.

Someone else may have a bit more else to say, there's a couple great minds on here that know what they're talking about. But the above is my $ .02
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  #3  
Old 09-13-2018, 04:03 AM
mfernandes mfernandes is offline
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Default Re: Exhaust fuel smell + bad MPG

Thanks for the answer dude; lets see:

1- 7000-9000 over how much time? 1 year? I dont do my oil changes due to the mileage driven if not for the time. What I mean is I dont drive 9000 miles a year, but every 12 months I change the oil regardless of the mileage driven.

2- I will keep an eye on the fuel filter. Specially as where I live gasoline is not the same as in the US. Here gasoline is crap, so Im thinking of dirty/clogged filter and maybe injectors

3- I try to remain as stock as possible. OEM parts should always work.

4- The original PCV valve was fine (it rattled when shaked) but, as is an inexpensive small part which plays an important role on the engine and always is belittled, I replaced it anyways a couple of months ago.

5- I did it the right way, and honestly, did not feel any differencde on the truck

6- As gasoline here is expensive (one of the most expensive in the world, 1 US gallon costs nearly 7 US dollars), everytime I fill my tank I want as much mpg as possible. But, that doesnt mean I drive like a grandma all day long. Usually I rev up to 2000-2500 rpm, but I can proudly say my old 22 years old US truck outrun a brand new 2018 toyota hilux and a VW Amarok truck, piece of mexican shit.

PS: like the oil change, I try to bang my wife on a schedule, at least 3 o 4 times a week, but thanks anyays for the input

7- Ill try that

8- I know, it should be absolutely the contrary, makes no sence.

9- Regular manteinance; every 6 months I clean the maf, iac and throttle body. Doesnt hurts anything and only take a couple of minutes.

10- Yes. US made Ford Rangers came with factory cat delete from factory. Maybe this was due to the differences in gasoline quality back then, but not completely sure. The rest of the exhaust system was exactly the same, but a resonator was installed on the cat place. I can shoot a pic of this if you wish

The gasoline smell is noticeable on the tailpipe, not on the engine bay nor the cab interior, I forgot to mention that.
I also forgot to mention that when pumping gas, the pump doesnt self stops all the time, it just keeps pumping till filled.

Again, as gasoline here is shit, I will narrow things to purge canister and solenoid. Can these two thinks deteriorate the mpg? What would you recommend, change both things?
__________________
Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"
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  #4  
Old 09-16-2018, 01:47 PM
mfernandes mfernandes is offline
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Default Re: Exhaust fuel smell + bad MPG

UPDATE:

Well, as crazy as it might sound, I tryed this:

Removed the new K&N filter and installed the original Motorcraft filter and let the truck idle for a while; NO GAS SMELL ON THE EXHAUST

This is a screenshoot of my basic OBDII scanner WITH THE MOTORCRAFT FILTER:




Replaced the Motorcraft back to the K&N; THE GAS SMELL Y CLEARLY NOTICEABLE ON THE EXHAUST

This is a screenshoot of my basic OBDII scanner WITH THE K&N FILTER:



Question is; is it possible that the engine runs rich with the K&N filter installed? Should I clean any sensor?

If you need any further information just ask for it
ANY INPUT WILL BE APPRECIATED!!!
__________________
Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"
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