So I just picked up a 2002 standard cab 2wd 2.3l 5 speed Ranger off a friend of mine. It has 95K miles. I went ahead and replaced the fuel filter, plugs, wires, air filter.

I notice when I drive it, espcially in 3-4 gears, a slight hesistation/miss when accelerating. Any ideas what could be causing this? Anything to check?

Thanks!

 

Have you tried cleaning your MAF? (Mass air flow sensor)

 

I have not, whats the best way to clean it?

 

Any auto-parts store will carry MAF cleaner. It comes in an aerosol can.

You should be able to take your MAF out, spray it on, let it dry, then re-install.

 

Thanks, Ill give it a try...

 

No problem. Let us know if that helps.

BTW, welcome to RF.

 

I cleaned the MAF sensor as well as dumped in a can of seafoam into the gas tank. The truck seems to be running about 50% better than it was.

Dont get me wrong, the truck runs pretty damn good as it is and I drive it 35 miles each way to work and back, but I can just feel that slight hesitation every now and then when accelerating and it drives me crazy.

 

Try and run some seafoam into your intake.

Read the directions on how to run it through your hose that comes off of your brake booster.

 

I would clean the throttle body as well. don't just take the intake hose off and spray some cleaner in it. Take the 5 minutes and pull the whole tb off. That way you can clean both sides, some of the upper intake, and the iac at the same time. It makes a big difference. Just don't shear the bolt off the iac. I did that and it was a pain in the butt to drill out.

 

I hate them bolts.

 

Try replacing your spark plug wires if it is still bad.

Never mind reread your post.

 

I've got the same problem. When going uphill, low to medium rpm, partial throttle, it seems as if one cylinder isn't making as much power. It's not a full on skip or miss. And if I go WOT, it goes away.

I also noticed that if I run pure gas and not the 10 blend of ethanol, it seems to be better.

 

And I think I've got the same issue. I would describe it as one cylider missing, but it only occurs when crusing steady between 30-40 MPH; step on the gas and it pulls strong. I'm going to try cleaning the MAF as suggested in this thread.

Hopefully one of us can report back with a success story.