Hey, my 1997 Ford Ranger has been sputtering once it cranks up and is not able to achieve high RPMs without much finagling. Once I put it in drive it completely shuts off. I’ve replaced the mass airflow sensor, fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, and fuel fuses. Another thing I’ve noticed is that my catalytic converter is becoming FLAMING hot. I’m not sure what the issue could be. Fuel pump? Busted O rings? Timing belt? Any help would be amazing! I’ll try and attatch a video of what it sounds like, it should be posted below.

 

Sounds very much like the fuel pump is going out. I had this happen on my '94 B4000. Diagnose your fuel pressure is low. That is pretty easy to do, but you'll need the proper gauge for it, which it is not expensive. If it is the fuel pump, it is a fairly easy job and requires unfastening the bed from the truck and lifting it back just far enough so you can get to the fuel tank. Very easy job, but you'll need to recruit another person or two when it comes time to lift the bed and set it on the rear wheels. It's light, just won't be able to do it on your own unless you have winches.

Great video on the subject here:
If fuel pressure checks out. Move to checking compression (rent a kit). If that checks out, move to checking for a vacuum leak. Vacuum leak might require investment in more expensive tools and I know of no parts store that rents out a smoke machine.

Let us know how it goes.

 

First check the FPR(fuel pressure regulator)
Its on the engine
looks like a small "can", it has the Return Fuel hose attached and a Vacuum hose
Pull off the vacuum hose and check it for gasoline, if found that's the problem, replace FPR

The HOT Cat converter usually means engine is running VERY RICH
Sucking in RAW GAS from the FPR would do that, lol

 

The FPR was good and there were no gas leaks into the vacuum hose. I still have to check the fuel pressure to determine if the pump is bad, but I have to go get a gauge and some line so I probably can’t do that this weekend. I’ll attach another video showing the RPMs and what it sounds like. It’s gonna be noticeably louder because we took the catalytic converter off.

updtate- RPMs struggle mightily to rise above 3000