I am trying to get my sons Ranger to pass inspection so we can re register it. I bought the truck used and they gave me a copy of the previous inspection test. I find it a liltte shady it passed since it has only been a year and now I can't get it passed, because code after code keeps coming up.

The patient is a 98 Ranger XLT 4X4, 6cyl 4.0l OHV (180,000) miles.
Here is the story,,,,,,

Took it to inspection and failed for P0401 EGR insufficient flow and P1131 Manufacturer Controlled Fuel and Air Metering.

I have replaced the EGR Valve as it was looking pretty bad as well as the vent tube. I must say that was a chore in itself, that tube was on there like a MF'er!!
I also replaced the Air Temp Meter Sensor thingy between the MAF and the TB as it was in bad shape. This was at the suggestion of the mechanic who did the inspection.. hmm??

Since I pulled negative battery terminal to reset computer, I drove truck around for a few days and walla, the CEL came back on, took to autozone and pulled same two codes above.

Now after reading numerous post on here, the DPFE was the next victim to be replaced.
While I was at it, I also threw on a few other new parts as the truck needed. I replaced the IAC, fuel filter, carb cleaned the TB, ran a can of seafoam through the intake.

Once again, replaced negative batt terminal, ran truck for a few days and she purrs much nicer now and idles alot better. The DAMN CEL came back on!!

I still have the P1131, but now have a P0174.

In ref to P1131,,, I have pulled the PCV and hose, all are in good working order, PCV shakes and rattles, hose from pcv to intake is solid. I have checked as many vacuum lines that I can see to make sure they are fitted properly. Not really sure how else to check for a vacuuum leak?? I am a NOOB in that department!!!!!!!

In ref to P0174, could it possible be the O2 sensor? I have read both instances on here that the O2 is working if it pulls that code so it is not bad and most likely a vacuum leak, to cleared P0174 after replacing O2 sensor.

I have pulled all three of my O2 sensors and they appear to be newer then what I would expect the original ones to be, other then that I am not sure if they actually need to be replaced.

Any help with this will be greatly appreciated!!!!!!! I thought I was buying a good deal in this truck but it is slowly wearing on me and the sooner I can get it to pass inspection , I might just be putting it on the market!!!

This is a great forum to learn about how to do anything on this little truck, I have learned some really good tricks!!!! I never knew what seafoam was until I stumbled acrossed it on here and boy it made a difference!!!

Thanks in advance

RJ

03 F150
06 Expedition
98 Ranger
03 Saturn

All American baby!!!

 

174 could mean a bad cat bad 02 you could have a intake leak

 

For the P1131 try this page . Looks like it could be a bear to find.
http://home.comcast.net/~miracerros/...wertrain_2.htm

For the P0174
Does the heater / vent controls work properly , as in that you can switch air flow from defrost to the floor or front vents ? If not there may be a leak at the vacuum reservoir. This seems to be a common area for vacuum leaks.

 

i hate the tiny little vacuum lines

 

anyone have some ideas where to start in regards to finding a vacuum leak? How to check? tips or tricks?

 

I will check the heater/ vent controls in the morning. My son drives the truck and he has never mentioned any issues with that, but I will double check, thanks.

 

Should I plan on pulling the intake to replace those seals to rule that out???
They dont appear to be too expensive and the job doesn't seem to difficult. I have searched on here and there is alot of good info on how to do that.
Found excellant link for intake gasket replacement
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...ht=P0171+P0174

 

Well , to close this out, I did find a vacuum leak while I was replacing both O2 sensors, boy was I pissed, I dont have any clue what this vaccum line went to but it was barely attached, it was on pssenger side of engine closer to firewall under some big hoses. So to say that fixed my P1131 or the bank 1 O2 I will never know. As for the P0174, slapped a new O2 and now my CEL is off and I passed inspection.

Now to start throwing money in suspension parts!!