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  #1  
Old 04-29-2010, 10:26 AM
Prozak Prozak is offline
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Default Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

First off, I'm new here, so hi everyone. I did tons of reading online to find that many people have similar problems but I have yet to find my cure.

I have a 1994 Ranger 4x4 4.0L with 200xxx miles. 5 speed. I bought the truck a few months ago for a winter beater for 1000 bucks.. 4x4 works great etc.. so when i first got it.. it ran good most of the time.. once in a while if I gave it some throttle at low RPM it would sputter. over the past few months its become more and more frequent. to the point now where it hardly runs right. its much worse at low RPMs and higher gears it chugs worse. like if I go around 35 in 3rd gear it should pull smooth.. but it bucks real bad and i have to downshift. First I tried just an air filter, plugs and wires... same problem... then I tried soaking the MAF in white vinegar... same problem... I swapped out the MAF for one i had in my mustang... not even sure if it should work, but the truck ran ok for about 5 minutes and as soon as i got on the gas at a low RPM in 2nd and 3rd gear... it started chugging again.. so I swapped it back.. I was looking around hoping i could find something wrong.. vacuum line, ground.. anything and i found 2 things one, the ground strap from chassis to motor was completely off..( but it still runs) not sure how significant that is.. and second, my airbox has some cracks and missing pieces around the edge where it clamps together...
I'm not sure if those are the problem, but im sure they dont help. I'm going to try a fuel filter just because its cheap, but any advice would be very appriciated... I'm getting horrible gas milage and no power...i need to fix this
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  #2  
Old 04-29-2010, 12:22 PM
Vrod21 Vrod21 is offline
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Default Re: Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

Seafoam.
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(SOLD) 2003 Ranger 4.0L V6 FX4
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2008 Fusion 3.0L SEL V6 (my baby)
1992 Taurus SHO MTX (my toy-almost Supercharged)
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  #3  
Old 04-29-2010, 01:25 PM
Vrod21 Vrod21 is offline
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Default Re: Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

Sorry I was on my phone earlier and that was all I could write. If your air box is not sealed correctly or if it has cracks, dirt and debris is getting into the engine. I would start my getting a cone filter and ripping out the air box, unless you can fine a good one a a scrapyard. With the proper vacuum pressure you problem may be fixed. I'm guessing your problem in a few things though. Dirty fuel filter witch leads to dirty injectors.I would start with the fuel filter then move to the air box swap and to complete it I would do a seafoam treatment. After that is done clean you IAC with throttle body cleaner. FYI: The seafoam i was speaking about cleans the injectors (in the gas), the crankcase (in the oil) and the valves (through the brake booster line).
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(SOLD) 2003 Ranger 4.0L V6 FX4
2001 F150 Supercrew Triton V8 (DD)
2008 Fusion 3.0L SEL V6 (my baby)
1992 Taurus SHO MTX (my toy-almost Supercharged)
2004 Nissan Murano SL AWD (Wife's car)
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  #4  
Old 05-03-2010, 05:03 AM
Prozak Prozak is offline
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Default Re: Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

Thanks for the tips.. I did seafoam this weekend... blew out all kinds of crap.. I also sprayed the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner.. seems like it maybe helped a little, but its still intermittently sputtering and hesitating... So next is the fuel filter. If I get a cone filter, what do i do with my vacuum lines ?
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  #5  
Old 05-03-2010, 09:41 AM
Vrod21 Vrod21 is offline
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Default Re: Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

I would do the fuel filter before anything else. After that if you problem is not resolved move to the air box and vac lines. There shouldn't be any vacuum lines going to the air box. You'll probably have to get any adapter but that is it. It's been awhile sine I've seen a 94 4.0l. If I'm wrong post some pics.
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(SOLD) 2003 Ranger 4.0L V6 FX4
2001 F150 Supercrew Triton V8 (DD)
2008 Fusion 3.0L SEL V6 (my baby)
1992 Taurus SHO MTX (my toy-almost Supercharged)
2004 Nissan Murano SL AWD (Wife's car)
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  #6  
Old 05-03-2010, 04:34 PM
Magnus Magnus is offline
2009 Ranger Sport 4X4
 
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Default Re: Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

Try the EGR valve my 89 Topaz had that problem as well I changed out the EGR valve by the throttle body and the car ran great.
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  #7  
Old 05-04-2010, 05:57 AM
Prozak Prozak is offline
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Default Re: Typical 4.0 sputtering.. HELP!

There are 2 vacuum lines going into my airbox... I will try the fuel filter and go from there. Ill get some pics of the airbox when I do my fuel filter.
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