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  #1  
Old 07-03-2013, 09:24 PM
matteusclement matteusclement is offline
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Default Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

people may have noticed me in the last couple weeks as I just bought a 1992 ranger. I have cleaned or replaced the o2 sensors, air temp sensor, coolant sensor, MAF sensor, and thermostat. I have also replaced all spark plug wires and plugs. My compression test (after a carbon clean out) is 180PSI all four cylinders. I have also changed the oil and filter (15w40 + lucas treatment). I am running lucas injector cleaner through every tank.

Despite the love and care I have given this 350,000KM truck, I am finding that I am getting a knock, wobble, hiccup, stutter in 4th and 5th gear.

It occurs if I am going up a slight gradient in 5th or if I punch it in 4th/5th.

I have a hard time explaining what the experience is... but I can definitely say that it's a loss of power of some kind.

Can it be a transmission/differential problem?
I am thinking of draining and replacing the fluids in both.
(PS - how much fluid does a tranny and differential take?)
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  #2  
Old 07-04-2013, 03:37 PM
matteusclement matteusclement is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

Could this be a syptom of a bad or faulty timing belt?
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  #3  
Old 07-04-2013, 03:39 PM
96_4x4_XLT 96_4x4_XLT is offline
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you used 15w40 in your engine!?

junk dude I'm pretty sure your truck takes 5w20!

And your truck sounds fine it's proly just under a heavy load
uphill in 5th 4 bangers have a hard time just moving them selves on a level surface

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
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  #4  
Old 07-04-2013, 03:45 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

^ nothing wrong with running a heavier weight oil...especially in a higher mileage motor...hell my truck calls for 5-20 and i run 5-30...my honda calls for 5-30 and i run 20-50 haha
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  #5  
Old 07-04-2013, 03:45 PM
96_4x4_XLT 96_4x4_XLT is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djfllmn View Post
^ nothing wrong with running a heavier weight oil...especially in a higher mileage motor...hell my truck calls for 5-20 and i run 5-30...my honda calls for 5-30 and i run 20-50 haha
seems a little to heavy though

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95 Ranger XLT 4x2 2.3 I4 5 speed 206,000 *dead*
96 Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 V6 5 speed 173,000 *alive*
D35 front, 8.8 rear, 3.73 gears, limited slip rear diff
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  #6  
Old 07-04-2013, 03:47 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

not in a higher mileage engine...the tolerances get larger and a thicker oil will often fix any oil consumption issues
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  #7  
Old 07-04-2013, 03:49 PM
Bachelor-house Bachelor-house is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

Doesn't sound like a timing belt problem. My 2.3 isn't very quick on the highway but it runs smooth.
Could be a tranny problem, or a problem in the engine under load. U-joints maybe?

Also, I agree that thicker oil can help older engines but I would only do it if i was having problems with the specified oil. Thicker oil can quiet engine noise, improve oil pressure and reduce leaking at the cost of slightly less flow through the engine. (YMMV)

Last edited by Bachelor-house; 07-04-2013 at 03:56 PM.
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  #8  
Old 07-04-2013, 04:21 PM
matteusclement matteusclement is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

I'll run this thicker oil with the treatment for the next 1500km then I am going to change it to ensure that I don't infact have a head gasket issue. Then I will move it down to a 10w30 and see If I burn any oil.

350,000KM is alot but my compression test was surprisingly good.

I don't know what a misfire feels like. Can anyone describe one? I THINK that's what might be happening.
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  #9  
Old 07-04-2013, 05:04 PM
Bachelor-house Bachelor-house is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

Ya, a misfire can feel like that. But why only in 4th and 5th? Does it run fine in lower gears/ even if you you lug it a bit?


Have you replaced the fuel filter? (do that 1st)

Have you checked for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner?

Does it have a tach? what's the RPMs when it acts up?
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  #10  
Old 07-04-2013, 09:50 PM
matteusclement matteusclement is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

I did the fuel filter too with all the other stuff.

Tach is busted at the 3000rpm stage. Gonna work on that next.

I can punch it in 1st 2nd 3rd with no issues... and now 4th seems to be good BTW.

So now it's just 5th.
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  #11  
Old 07-06-2013, 11:20 AM
matteusclement matteusclement is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

Once I get the tach fixed, when should I be shifting? I have a 3.73 trans.

I think I am shifting too soon, causing misfires. That sound possible?

Also, my speedometer is "wobbly" and incorrect. Where should i start in repairing that? The sensor? where is that sensor? what's it called? Or what about the cable?
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  #12  
Old 07-06-2013, 11:43 AM
Bachelor-house Bachelor-house is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

I found an instrument cluster at the junkyard for $45 (it came out of a 97 explorer). My 97 didnt come with a tach and I wanted one.

For most easy driving I shift around 2k, If I'm accelerating hard, 3-4k.
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  #13  
Old 07-06-2013, 01:35 PM
Blank_doubt Blank_doubt is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

The "wobbly" speedometer could be the result of a loose connection at the transmission and/or instrument panel.
If it's electronic (sensor), how would it "wobble"?

My engine specs (Haynes manual) call for 5W-30 but that's for a "out of factory" or new engine.
Since my oil pan leaks when engine operating (which helps lube undercarriage and only way to repair is to pull the engine 2= no chance), I just use straight 30W.

Shifting "too soon" shouldn't cause a misfire, only helps "load up" internals.
Run some Seafoam through the tank as well Crankcase or one container each, also you could give a tank full of High Test a go and may or not produce any difference.

It's a Ford 4 banger with a Japanese (Mazda or Mitsubishi) Transmission, what did you expect??
Enjoy it while it runs.
Flip Over Read Directions.

CHEERS!!
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Last edited by Blank_doubt; 07-06-2013 at 01:41 PM. Reason: just mucking about
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  #14  
Old 07-06-2013, 01:48 PM
Bachelor-house Bachelor-house is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

Quote:
Originally Posted by matteusclement View Post
I think I am shifting too soon, causing misfires. That sound possible?
If you lug the engine at low rpm, (1500rpm or so) it can cause a chugging vibration, if you need power out of the little 2.3 you have to rev it up more.
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  #15  
Old 07-14-2013, 10:09 PM
matteusclement matteusclement is offline
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Default Re: Wobble / choke / something happening in 5th gear

I am back.

The tach is fixed and the 4th/5th gear misfire is still present. The tach doesn't seem to move when the misfire happens.

I pulled a 332 code (EGR no flow). Could this be causing the misfire?

I pulled it and it was PLUGGED with carbon. NASTY!

I have tried to clean the EGR valve with carb cleaner but it's barely touching it. I assume that the pin in the middle should be the only moving part on that valve to let exhaust gases in?

Again, this only happens in 4th/5th when i give it gas (65% open) or when I start going up a slight hill.

I WILL HUNT DOWN THIS PROBLEM.
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differential, knock, shake, transmission

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