Hey everyone i have a huge problem and looking for some help. I have a 2000 ford ranger xlt 4wd auto v6 3.0l. The problem started a few weeks ago. It seemed to be sputtering and almost stalling when i shifted from park to any gear. I was advised to tune it up. So i started with the fuel filter and tired it last weekend and it seemed to make it a little worse. This weekend i did the oil and spark plugs and wires. Know the truck is worse then ever. No power and on flat ground put to the floor i can get to about 30 mph before the motor starts to sound a little beter. Also have a noise that sounds like a cluncking after a bit mabe second or third gear. any ideas on how to fix this i would be greatfull

 

No Check Engine light right? so it's not mis-firing.

I'd start with fuel pressure since it "changed" the symptom after the filter replacement.

You can sometimes borrow specialty tools from a lot of Auto Parts stores, call around and see if any lend out a fuel pressure gage. Connect it and turn the key to Run without cranking it. Do this several times and write the readings down. Then start it and measure the pressure again. Maybe run it up ~2000 rpms and check it too.


I'd also look all around the engine for a loose/broken vaccuum line. You may be able to hear it hissing with the engine running.

Edit: Verify that your spark plug wires are properly connected if it got even worse after replacing them. It's easy to put them in the wrong spot on the coilpack. How did the old spark plugs look and what type of replacement did you install (please say Motorcraft or Autolite)?

 

It sounds like it might be a catalytic converter plugging up. My brother had a dodge ram that slowly lost power until one day the truck would not even pull its self . He crawled under- neath cut off the converter started the truck, loud as hell, but power back to normal.

 

A guy at work said it sounded like the catalytic converter and he said he had the same problem so i was leaning that way but wasn't sure how to check it with out cutting it and putting new ones in or reinstalling them. I'll try to check the fuel presure too. I used autolite and sti plugs. I removed the plugs one by one and i felt that too mabe i confused the wires and i would consider mabe on the drive side but i doubt it. Can anyone give me the coil pack numbering and the engine wireing so i could double check. Thanks for everything