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  #1  
Old 03-24-2011, 05:40 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

.no, not really.
HELP!!! Please, anyone with my 1999 ranger 2.5L, manual trans..

I can't keep it running. Won't idle, and can barely get up an easy grade. Bogs down when accelerating. Feels fuel starved, and it's hard to tell, but sometimes I feel that it might be missing at acceleration. No bucking, but a very light stutter at acceleration.

Here's what I've done so far:

About 4 weeks ago, had and passed CA smog test.

About 2 weeks ago, replaced the timing and serpentine belts. Replaced water pump too.
Just Replaced plugs and wires (wow, never spent 4 hours replacing plugs on ANY other vehicle). This is the first engine I had to take 1/3 apart just to replace plugs).

Replaced fuel filter.
Checked MAF and Idle control, working.
Verified fuel pressure is good.
Coil Packs are good.
Tried to check as much of the vacuum as I can, but not sure how to definitively check vacuum.

Measured the temps at each exhaust port, as follows:
1. 790F
2. 670F
3. 640F
4. 790F

Temp at front side of CAT
770F
Temp at exit side of CAT
625F

I've checked everything I can think of that would be Idle and Acceleration related.

Could my Cat be clogged based on the temps shown?

Also, ALL of my problems started after using 2 cans of Seafoam.
Note: Replaced fuel filter and plugs AFTER using the Seafoam.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance..
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Old 03-24-2011, 05:58 PM
S13minus1 S13minus1 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

iirc cats are supposed to be hotter on exit than entry.
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  #3  
Old 03-24-2011, 05:58 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

You won't be upset if you did all that and it ends up being wrong type of spark plugs will you?

The only thing that will get along with Ford "motronics" as Bosch likes to call modern ecu managed engine systems is Motorcraft or Autolight plugs. Everything else very often causes very pronounced symptoms.

Your cat temp is below the norm.
I have no damn clue what an exhaust port is supposed to read or why it would matter.
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:16 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Autolights were the replacement plugs, which replaced Bosch existing ones. The new plugs/wires didn't make a difference in performance, ie., the problems persist.

As far as manifold temps, I found it interesting that the 2 and 3 ports were substantially lower in temperature.

I've also read/heard that the exit temps of the cat should be higher, but again, I'm new at this and am surely looking to any experienced help here!

Thanks for the fast reply.

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Originally Posted by S13minus1 View Post
iirc cats are supposed to be hotter on exit than entry.
I'm starting to believe I will be out $$ for a new cat. I'm in a state that fornicates it inhabitants, hence CALIfornicatia, so I assume I will be out several of those $ due to what appear to be higher cost for same?

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Originally Posted by S13minus1 View Post
iirc cats are supposed to be hotter on exit than entry.
I'm starting to believe I will be out $$ for a new cat. I'm in a state that fornicates it inhabitants, hence CALIfornicatia, so I assume I will be out several of those $ due to what appear to be higher cost for same?
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:19 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

I'm thinking that if your cat was clogged it would get visibly hot.

How did you apply those cans of seafoam?
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:23 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
I'm thinking that if your cat was clogged it would get visibly hot.

How did you apply those cans of seafoam?
1.5 cans poured in to the brake booster vacuum tube.
.25 in the oil
.25 in the fuel tank.

Ran a complete tank a gas, and then replaced the fuel filter, plugs and wires.

As far as the cat, that's a good point. There is exit gas, but it just seems odd that the temp at exit would be over 150F lower, when I've heard it should be the other way around, or something to that effect..

..thanks..
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:33 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Hey all I can think of is the act of taking off the vacuum hose. Are you sure you got that hose assembly back onto the booster. Cause I keep looking at the symptoms and they're saying "bigass vacuum leak"
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:35 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Interestingly, the plugs after the Seafoam treatment, didn't appear fouled, or any more "worn" than if I hadn't used it.
The plugs came out tan/ash colored, and #2 was quite worn at intake, whilst #2 at exhaust had a bit of tan build up on it.
All other plugs looked pretty normal, but used up.
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Old 03-24-2011, 06:38 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Don't interrupt me when I'm posting to you. (I just wondered if that grommet or any other part of the brake booster hose assembly isn't sealed back up from getting taken off.)
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Last edited by mickblock; 03-24-2011 at 06:40 PM.
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  #10  
Old 03-24-2011, 06:41 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
Hey all I can think of is the act of taking off the vacuum hose. Are you sure you got that hose assembly back onto the booster. Cause I keep looking at the symptoms and they're saying "bigass vacuum leak"
I hear ya , but no, it is back and when the engine was turned off, I pulled it out again, just to see if it held vacuum, and it did. Surprisingly, after a few minutes, there was still vacuum at the booster canister..

I also sprayed all vacuum connections to no avail. I did find one of the very small vacuum tubes broken, which I repaired. No difference in performance.

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Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
Don't interrupt me when I'm posting to you.
hh

HaHa sorry!

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Quote:
Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
Don't interrupt me when I'm posting to you. (I just wondered if that grommet or any other part of the brake booster hose assembly isn't sealed back up from getting taken off.)
I'm pretty sure it's okay, but will run to check it now..

Thanks sir.
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Old 03-24-2011, 07:00 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Well if that isn't it then I'd clean my IAC and throttle body. The idle air control might have gotten allot of sooty action during all that cleaning. Cause if your engine runs that way right from a cold start, those are good culprits regardless.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-s...r-control.html

If it starts to run that way after it's reached operating temperature, I'd disconnect the battery so that I could see if the ECU just needs to go back to default settings after long term adapting to a dirty engine. No offense. I mean you walloped it with 1.5 cans man.
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Old 03-24-2011, 07:29 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
Well if that isn't it then I'd clean my IAC and throttle body. The idle air control might have gotten allot of sooty action during all that cleaning. Cause if your engine runs that way right from a cold start, those are good culprits regardless.
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-s...r-control.html

If it starts to run that way after it's reached operating temperature, I'd disconnect the battery so that I could see if the ECU just needs to go back to default settings after long term adapting to a dirty engine. No offense. I mean you walloped it with 1.5 cans man.
It's all good! I am looking for answers, so ANY ideas are good ones.
I had the battery disconnected throughout the plug changing episode, which included an overnight as well (took em out in the afternoon, replaced in the morning).
Cleaned the IAC, and the piston seems to be moving okay. When unplugging the IAC, the engine came to an immediate stop.
MAF. Cleaned it as well. Unplugging it resulted in slight slowing down of idle.
NOTE: when I say Idle, I am referring to me keeping it running with my hand on the throttle cable.
Throttle body, was sprayed with carb cleaner when intake was disconnected..

Just got back from a 10 mile drive. Could NOT get it over 70 mph.
Re checked the vacuum, and it's all tight with no leaks or vacuum sounds.

Got it to 70mph for about 7 miles, and then pulled over and I re measured the Catalytic Converter's temps. it measured 880F in front and 810F at exit.

It feels gas-starved, but when I pushed in on the schrader valve (at the injector rail), copious amounts of fuel shot up on to the under-hood.

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by S13minus1 View Post
iirc cats are supposed to be hotter on exit than entry.
Alex,
Yes, that's what I've heard/read, that cats are supposed to be hotter at exit. This has me wondering, but I don't want to kill a day and 250 dollars to find out it's still acting up!
I've already dumped close to 700 in to it from plugs to timing belt!
(Had the timing belt done).

thanks..

Last edited by four2x4; 03-24-2011 at 07:24 PM.
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  #13  
Old 03-24-2011, 07:30 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Ok so for now, if your not sick of researching yet, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and check out the "similar threads" section.
and then here's a decent link about catalytic converters.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/converter.htm

Keep us posted man.
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  #14  
Old 03-24-2011, 07:47 PM
four2x4 four2x4 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mickblock View Post
Ok so for now, if your not sick of researching yet, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and check out the "similar threads" section.
and then here's a decent link about catalytic converters.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/converter.htm

Keep us posted man.
I have been reading about them , and I hate to whine, but I will probably replace it, and then have to shoot myself if that doesn't solve this mess!

I mean okay, if that's what it is, so be it! BUT, if not... arrrrrrgg!

Thanks again!
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Old 03-24-2011, 08:04 PM
S13minus1 S13minus1 is offline
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Default Re: Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Bad cat?

honestly, i say unbolt the cat and see if she runs any better. do it during the day so you dont piss off (too many) neighbors
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'10 Ranger XL 2.3L Manual
Mods: Stereo, Tint, Weatherguard rain shields, Intake silencer removal, LED brake, turn signal, reverse, license plate, and dome lights, DDM HID's (currently removed), lowered, 17" wheels with spacers, Explorer autodim mirror with Autolamps, Magnaflow exhaust, Buggman LED 3rd Brake Light...
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awe come on alex be a man!
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