97 Ranger 2wd. 4cyl with 8 plugs 5 spd 190,000 miles.

Hi. sorry for the short story lol. just want to get all the info i can out.

so I've posted once before a few days ago. My Ranger has been running really rough.
I mentioned that a week ago I changed the oil and ever since then it ran rough. I started it up and went to the store and it wanted to die at every light. I went home and let it sit and the next day I started it up and let it warm up and revved it in neutral in the driveway and as soon as i let off the gas it died. I didn't know what was going on so I took it to a shop and had them scan it. It's missing on a cylinder, They wanted to do a complete tuneup and check the compression and change filters and plugs and wires. We don't have a lot of money so I took the truck home to think about it. I decided to change the plugs and wires myself and that didn't fix the problem. I then looked online for help. I cleaned the Maf sensor and the dpfe sensor and the IAC sensor. I checked the IAT. in my year and engine the MAf is housed completely inside the air cleaner assembly and the IAT is in the assembly as well closer to the throttle body.
I had heard mixed advice about the PCV valve. some say it should be checked and some say it rarely goes bad. I'm not sure where it is....i think i see it, but don't know how to get at it.
have not checked the EGR valve yet.
But with missing a cylinder, I am not so sure that sensors could cause that could it?
I really thought I had something fixed as soon as I pulled all the plugs. The last 2 that are hidden behind manifold on the DS were in such bad shape that I figured I had easily fixed the problem.

 

You are leaving out one important part. I'm thinking a low flow or bad fuel injector. Find someone that has a scan tool (not a code reader). Compare the injector pluses and voltage at each injector. I think you'll find that cylinder isn't working properly due to the injector.

 

would it be worth my time to put a bottle of injector cleaner and some gas in the tank?
also i have not changed the fuel filter. I think there are 2. one is in the tank and the other is below the driver side on the frame.

 

If you were to investigate the contents of fuel injector cleaner you would find the main ingredient is....
kerosene.

Get the codes read and write them down . Post them here so we have a better understanding of what's happening.DON'T go to the same shop you just took it to. Many auto parts stores will read them for free.

 

The filter in the tank is the sock attached to the bottom of the pump so forget that one. You replace it when you replace the pump. The fuel filter is located right under the driver's door on the frame. Cost's less than 12 bucks.

You can poor cleaner in the tank. That's good practice. I use Seafoam at each oil change. But to clean a clogged injector you'll need to go to the source.

http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...ad.php?t=44578

 

So I still have the same issue. I have been driving it occasionally because I have to.
(no other transportation)

It still has a rough idle. and according to the shop is missing on a cylinder.
Only thing is, that after cleaning the sensors and checking all the other things, the check engine light is not on. has been over 2 weeks and has not come on yet.
How is this possible? With seemingly such huge engine running issue that the check engine light doesn't come on?
It came on and stayed on all the time in the past, and dumb me I never checked into it, Also it came on and actually flashed until it warmed up. but again I never checked into it. my guess is that after cleaning the sensors I fixed that issue.
any other suggestions?

I did read about someone taking the upper intake manifold apart and cleaning the upper and lower out. don't know if i should try that or not.