Hey guys, Ive been on a bunch of forums all over the net with this problem. I have a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0L 66,000 miles, running on summer 87 octane pump gas with a 87 performance tune installed. As for mods: jba headers, X3 Flash programmer, volant CAI with oiled filter, UDP, E-Fan, and flowmaster series 40 exhaust. These mods are all supposed to make power but they dont seem to work for me. Engine oil is changed regularly, air filter was just cleaned and re-oiled. MAF sensor is cleaned regularly because of the oiled filter. New spark plugs and wires. Everything a monkey can change or replace to make sure an engine is running the way it should has been done.

Ever since I got my UDP 2 years ago my truck has lost power. Since it spins my alternator slower, it charges less and draws more from my battery. My battery voltage used to be in the middle of my dashboard gauge before I installed my UDP, now its about 3/4 the way down when I start up and as I drive it dips down further. The battery is about 1 1/2 years old. The alternator is about 6 months old, just had it tested, it checks out ok.

What I think the problem is is Im not getting enough spark from out of my electrical system. When my voltage gauge is 3/4 my truck runs better, when it goes down it runs like crap. I know about putting an Overdrive pulley on my alt, since i dont have one I have tuned my idle speed to run faster. I hear all these stories of guys that have done similar stuff to their truck and they have tons of power. I am at a loss. Do you guys have any ideas?

 

An overdrive pulley on the alternator should help

 

Once you are above idle, the pulley should make no difference in alternator capacity. That is only a problem at idle. If you have a low voltage condition while driving then you likely have a bad alternator. That low voltage could account for bad spark but someone who knows more about DIS would have to chime in about that.

 

Are there any vacuum lines I need to look at? I cleaned the PVC valve a while ago. I put in a new fuel filter around the same time.

 

I have modded air box, larger TB, headers, cat back. It just makes more noise. It pulls better at 65, but thats about it. Although im OHV not SOHC. Heads and a cam wake this engine up. To bad i have a 5.0 swap in prep out in the garage.

Biggest bang for the buck I have installed is the torque converter. Step on the gas engine revs to 3k instantly before moving. Truck comes up off the line very nicely.

 

About the only way to lose power on a 4.0 crank pulley install is if the bolt isn't torqued down. Over time it will get loose and wobble. This is bad cause the timing is fed off the crank pulley.

If its been 2 years i doubt that's the problem cause it would only get worse from the getgo. You would have lost so much torque you wouldn't make it up an incline.

 

Thanks guys, Ill have to check those things out. Ill have to wait until it cools off though. Its hard to turn a wrench in 110 degree heat!!

Anybody else out there have any ideas?

 

Hot over there too huh...oh wait...it's Idaho. When is it not hot. lol. We hit 105 today. Supposed to hit 110 tomorrow. Yay! lol.

 

Im actually in Wilsonville Oregon right now. I tried to work under the hood today but started sweating before I even unlocked my Truck. I had to run back inside to the A/C. Plus beer stays colder longer inside. haha

With all my problems, Ive been on ranger forums alot. I have run across O2 sensor problems leading to MPG loss and loss of power alot. Do any of you guys think the porblems I am having can be a result of a bad 02. I have heard headers can heat them up pretty bad. As well as the CATs. But I have no CELs and I ran my truck for codes and only got the P1000, no big deal.
Remember i have around 66,000 miles and its an 01.

 

compression test? putting power adders on a weak engine wont do a thing.

 

I think your MAF sensor could be going bad. Even though you cean it, it is terrible when they get oiled. I would see if there are aftermarket paper filters that would fit your air intake.

Why are you running 87 and not 94 octane?
For some reason my truck gains alot of power with a full tank of gas. I replaced my fuel filter which really helped alot but it still seems to be a little more powerful on a full tank of fuel. I think it might be that my fuel pump is dieing. You should definitely replace your fuel filter and take a look at the fuel pump.

 

Yeah, Ive thought about changing the air filter. Its a pain. My truck sure runs a bit better when I clean my MAF.
Im running 87 because I left my truck down south with my brother when I went up to AK for the summer. I had to drive a ways to his house and wanted to see how well my MPG was on the 87 performance tune. Just haven't switched back. I changed my fuel filter 2 years ago. Does running my fuel tank down to E alot put alot of strain on the fuel pump?

 

How much $$$ is a cam and head swap if you take it somewhere to get it done?


holy crap...i never thought oregon would actually be hotter than my neck of the woods... the high is 99 here today and that's alittle low for us this time of year. I was in portland this time last year visiting my sister and it was only like high 80s.

welcome to my world lol

 

Im in vancouver and we hit 107 wednesday!

 

x2

this makes me curious, cuz i do this all the time on my trucks.....

 

running ur tank down to E does put strain... The fuel basically keeps the pump cool and when u run your tank down to E there isnt enough fuel to keep it cool so it heats up. then when u put nice cool fuel in ur tank with a hot pump... it put alot of strain on it.

If i can help it i never let my truck get past 1/4 tank.

 

Not to say you are wrong, but that sounds dangerous. I wouldn't think the manufacturers would put something that gets hot in the fuel tank and rely on the fuel to cool it.

Just saying...sounds "iffy" to me. But like I said, I could be wrong. They've done stranger things than that (ie: Pontiac Aztek )

 

Flowing fuel DOES cool the pump by design. Running it low shouldn't overheat but empty may. But we aren't talking about a TWA800 here. Its not going to get hot enough to ignite the vapor in the tank.

 

not saying it gets hot to the point of ignition.. but it warms and cools and that repeating of the warm and cool down is what puts strain of the pump.

 

now, with the explanation of the fuel flow cooling effect, it makes a little more sense. I figured I was missing part of the story lol

I was thinking that it was supposed to cool just by sitting in the gas lol. Sorry, it was a long night last night.

 

So heres a little update. Two days ago, I drove my truck to Shucks to have them test my alt and battery. My alt was fine but my battery was down a little. They said it looked like something was left on and drained it a little. I always check to make sure everything is turned off. Once you kill a battery from leaving your dome light on once, you never do it again. So they charged it up for me and I reinstalled everything. While I was putting stuff back in, I cleaned my MAF. Started her up and she ran great! Pulled really hard, sounded really good. I thought everything was back to normal.
The next day I drove from Olympia WA to Moscow ID About half way I had to get gas. Didn't want to get past a 1/4 tank like you guys said. My gauge was said 1/4 of a tank but I only put in 8 gallons and it was full to the brim. I had gone 181 miles. I figured out my MPG to be 21mpg. I haven't seen that number ever. Man I was excited. Truck was still running ok. My voltage had dropped down but not as much as it used to. When I got to Moscow my truck definitely lost some power. Didn't pull as hard. Voltage was further down.

So now Im thinkin my UDP really messes with my alt producing power and my oiled filter really mucks up my MAF. What do you guys think.

 

I need to change my oil sometime this week. Thinking I might try some Sea Foam. I passed 66666 miles on my drive. Figured it might be a good time to make sure everything is clean. Ive read Sea Foam mucks up your spark plugs. Any thoughts?

 

If you run seafoam through your vac line you will have to get new spark plugs, Get Motorcraft spark plugs, best plugs for a ranger.

 

id get rid of that oiled filter, switch to a non oiled filter