ok so the story goes like this, I have a 98 2.5 ranger, 146k on the clock, driving on the freeway, the timing belt snapped. towed it to a buddy's place and replaced the water pump and timing belt.

recent work done to it before the timing belt, new autolite copper plugs about 300 miles ago with new wires, new serpentine belt done at same time. air filter changed about 1000 miles ago, and recently blew all the dust and dirt out of it.

truck started and drove about 100 miles after I did the timing belt, then as I was getting home I noticed it was losing power going up hills, started getting worse and worse. the harder I pushed the pedal the more power it lost, but at lower rpms it was almost normal.

went to drive to work the next day and it started fine, about 5 minutes later after I drove about a block, it lost all power and began running like crap, wouldnt idle, no power at all. after letting it sit, it would start up just fine. then as it warmed up it would do the same thing again. holding it on the floor would kinda keep it running like shown in this video. checked fuel pressure, and its steady at 68-70 psi, even while running like crap. the intake sounds weird, almost like its starving for air, but I doubt its actually clogged cause it runs fine before it warms up.

idk where to start. there are no check engine lights. could really use some help, need this thing to run to get to work :/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vn1CUuFeO4

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

I'd start checking over anything and everything related to what you removed and replaced when you did the timing belt. Could easily be something that was kinked or is loose. I'm not familiar with the 2.5, but if you removed the intake manifold for any reason, there could be a vacuum leak along those lines.

That sounds pretty bad. Did you actually check for codes? If not I would start by checking for codes. As fordzilla said look the TB over.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

is it throwing any codes?

When truck is running badly Pull injector plug #1 see if it changes idle? If it changes then it's not that injector, proceed to #4, repeat. Those two you can reach. You have a bad injector. 1&4 are cake to change. Other 2 are time consuming.

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MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..

No stored codes. Haven't checked injectors but I couldn't keep it running to pull the plugs anyways...

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

How many times did you check for codes?

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He would have misfire codes.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

Checked several times turning the truck off and on including checking for stored codes.

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

Not always, I never got a misfire code when my previous engine decided it only wanted 3 cylinders.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

I'm gonna try a vacuum gauge tomorrow. The intake air box kinda sounds like it's burping so maybe the exhaust is plugged up or something.

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

I have a feeling your crankshaft position sensor got messed up and took a while to show any issues. You need to check for pending codes as well.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

Checked over and over again for pending codes. It will still run fine if it's cold for a bit. Takes a minute to start running like crap.

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

That sounds like a mass air flow sensor issue, try unplugging it to see if the condition improves.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

I'll try in the morning.

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99 extended cab, 4.0, auto, 33s, 4x4 lifted with some stuff done

98 2wd 2.5, 5 speed, dropped with some stuff done

If it was running like the OP's it should have?

Take it to a Tech with a scanner and see what the PID'S have to say. See if it happens between open and close.

The MAF AND ECT sensor are always being used by the puter. The o2 sensors are only used in closed loop.

Could be CPS but again it should throw a code. Maybe it's the puter. Pull the connector off?

Could be vacuum leak but should throw a code?

Could be jumped timing but should throw a code.

for giggles you could try the hillbilly DX and disconnect the sensors one at a time, i.e. MAF etc.

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).