04 ranger, spitting and sputtering under load
 

Hi guys, I have a problem that I hope you can help me figure out. I have an 04 Ranger, 3.0 2wd standard 5 speed. My problem is that a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that when I start out in 2nd gear the engine spits and sputters, but once the rpms come up a bit, it runs fine. Also, my idle is around 500 and rough, but it has always been that way. Was told by Ford that that is normal. This spitting and sputtering is NEW! What could it be? Changed plug wires and coil. Plugs are newer, so should not be them. I suspect the Catalytic converter. HELP! PLEASE!:boggled:

Why do you start out in 2nd gear and not 1st gear?

dont lug your engine. its not good for it.

but yes cat converters and cause lots of things... What is your gas mileage like and have you had any power loss?

Honestly....I start out in 2nd because 1st is too low. Of course, now I start out in 1st.

Just seems like it would sputter a bit starting in 2nd vs 1st.
Other then that I would check IAC and MAF?

My gas mile is about 20mpg. About the power....it is much better in the morning when the engine is cold, and at higher rpm. But once it is hot.....I can feel a power drop off. Oh, and in the mornings when the engine is cold....gas mileage goes down?

Never has done this before.....been starting out in 2nd for the whole life of the truck. I don't know the terms IAC and MAF. Are they sensors?

Idle Air Control & Mass Air Flow Sensors, yes.

Take pictures of the glazed flywheel and pressure plate when you replace the clutch next month.

Why was I not surprised to see that you live in Upstate NY? You could have just said that starting out in second gear will cause glazing of the flywheel and pressure plate. I'm a truck driver.....and I have never seen this happen to any truck I have ever driven. Granted my truck isn't a big rig, however, it does not have the power or weight of one either. I highly doubt that glazing is the problem. It's not slipping. The engine is cutting in and out under load. Tac falls off each time, does not increase in rpm. Which it would do if the clutch were slipping.

Thank you. I will check these and see what happens.