Yesterday it puttered until given gas, today it putters then dies.
 

2000 ford ranger
Owned for 2 weeks been great til yesterday. Started puttering from my exhaust it felt and sounded like up a hill so i gave it gas. The exhaust puttered harder but didn't accelerate until gas pedal was compressed for 2 seconds and it was back and strong. When the exhaust putters i feel my engine shaking side to side.

3/4 mile down the road at a stop light it was running rough. Misfire feeling but didnt die or need gas. I accelerated on green but it didn't respond immediately again and the puttering intensified before two seconds went by and the truck was back to its old self running fine. It happened again arriving at my destination. Almost Once every mile on average.

Today it wont stay on. It putters on start then dies. I attempted to start it about 6 times. When i give it gas it stays on until i let my foot rest a bit then dies immediately. Twice it died when giving gas on start up. My next attempt was successful by letting it start with no gas then gave it gas and would stay on.

My main concern is how dangerous is it to keep trying to start it? Im also curious to what your check list would be to diagnose this would be. Thank you.

Welcome to the forum

Reads like fuel filter is clogged or fuel pump is failing

Could be clogged exhaust, Cat or muffler broke up internally

There is a Check engine light(CEL), on the dash, it should come on with key on, then go off after engine starts, do you see it?
Some sellers disable CEL if its on all the time in order to sell a vehicle, just checking

If you don't see it then there are probably Codes you need to get to help diagnose the issue


Long shot,.........when did you last get gas?
If just before this issue started then you might have got some "bad gas", gas with too much water in it, same symptoms as described