Hi everyone,

I just bought a 1996 Ford Ranger with a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive with a 6' box from the original owner Anyways, it was in fairly good condition when I got it. Pretty clean, no noticeable annoying/non-working things, besides it looks like the original owner did not do much if any maintenance, almost everything under the hood is diiiirty.
So I'm trying to fix up and get it back to best condition possible considering.
I checked the tire pressures, and set them all to 35/35, and replaced the air filter when I got it, but it is still terrible.


I ran a bit of seafoam through the intake manifold hose to the brake booster, some in the gas tank and some in the oil before changing it out for synthetic.
I also changed the plugs and wires and gapped them, and removed the intake tube behind the fender that was connected to the air filter housing.

But the truck still gets terrible gas mileage, even when I first brought it home. I just drove about 60k give or take a few k and burned through almost a 1/4 tank of gas. about half to 2/3rds of a quarter tank.

The engine has 140,000k.
The cat/exhaust look original.

Any tips or hints would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Dave

did you change the fuel filter?

No, should I?
Is it difficult?

Thanks,
Dave

its not too bad, but you should change it

Put it back.
Change that fuel filter. If you've got room and light you'll figure out the connections. Basically there are three tabs on each connection. They made it that way because they know that people only have two hands.
Then get some MAF sensor cleaner and clean the MAF sensor.
The MAF sensor is all about air fuel ratio. It takes the place of multiple sensors that used to be used for it's single purpose. If it's fouled, you run rich.

__________________
08 4.0 Sport 4x4
Stock

Change all your fluids and run a fuel system cleaner in it a couple of times. My fuel mileage jumped up a bit after I changed out the transmission and differential fluid/oil. Proper maintenance makes a world of difference.

__________________
Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap

I got the fuel filter changed, and cleaned the MAF at the same time.
There seems to be a slight increase in power, and how smooth the engine idles.

I think fuel consumption is still a bit, high, could possible be some bearings as the truck does slow down at a decent clip if I let off the gas. Anyone have any idea of what to check next? Or price of the rear wheel bearings replaced at a shop?

I'm going camping today, so I will have a decent idea of fuel consumption when I get back in about a week. When I get back I will change the transmission/rear end fluids over to synthetic.

Thanks again,
Dave!