Resolved "Too Lean" Code
 

My '96 Ranger XLT / 2.3l was running rough for the las 5-6 months, and I pulled up the "Too Lean" code.

So i've been going thru checking all vacume lines, cleaning sensors, checking plugs. Then one morning I was topping off the tank for the weeklong commute to / from work, I smelled fuel and looked under the Ranger and noted that I was dripping fuel, I found the problem, the simpliest and out-of-mind reson for the rough running.

Just replaced the fill-line, which was weather / age factor on the rubber outer jacket tube. It was cracked at both ends of the fill-tube all the way though the jacket, which inturn, allowed air into the pressurized fuel system, hence the "Too Lean" code. What a dummie !!

Got the fill line swaped, and it runs Great once more.

Do have a question, thinking about doing a '05 Duratec 2.3E, (E= California emissions), swap. The ECU, wireing loom from a donor. the question is, are the engine / transission bolt pattern the same, as the '96 2.3L / M5OD-R1 ??