Hello peoples. I have a 98 4.0 automatic that Bought used with around 130k. It had a few codes that I worked through, misfires and transmission stuff, I am
now down to my last code to clear up, p1151, which this truck does not have a catalytic converter so I’m not sure if that’s the reason why this code is there. The truck gets around 200 miles to the tank when I drive slow and steady but sometimes it can get 160 to a tank if I’m heavy footing it which I believe is way too bad. That’s around 10-12mpg. It does have 32 tires on it and some method rims. I also smell gas whenever I am at a gas station and I’m filling up. I can also smell it more when I’m inside the truck in the drivers seat if that matters. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

Could be your FuelFilter\Connections are leaking; usually mounted inside the FrameRail on the underbody below the Drivers Seat.
Last time I changed my filter, those connections gave me a fit leaking.
For several mornings, could smell gas as I stepped into drivers door; sure enough a drip from the Filter connections.
I replaced Filter again but no fix.
Factory connectors can't be tightened, so had to cut them off & replace with 1/2"200psiFuelInjectionHose & DoubleWormClamps,
to get leak stopped. Don't use standard 50psiFuelHose, it's not rated for the higher ~80psi from the fuel pump.

 

thank you I will definitely look into that later.

 

32" tires means speedometer AND odometer will be reading lower miles than actual
So if you are using the odometer for "miles traveled" on each tank its wrong, its low

If stock tires were 29" and new tires are 32" then when speedo shows 65MPH you are actually going 70MPH, so 5 mile difference per hour of driving
If stock tire size was 28" then its even a bigger difference, drivers door label will tell you what size tire came on the Ranger when new, and thats what speedo/odo was calibrated for

 

hmm that’s interesting. I was waiting for you to comment hahah you seem to really know these trucks. So if my trip meter says 50/60 miles gets me a quarter tank, in reality it’s more like 55/65 miles?

 

Yes, depending on original tire diameter, with 32" tires it will be off by about 8% low, so 50miles traveled showing on odo, would actually be 54miles traveled, 60 would be 65, 100 would be 108

But if you SMELL gas then that's not the whole problem, lol

 

I haven’t had the smell come back for a while but last night after filling up to full, I could smell the vapors strongly. Also I’ve been getting around 200/215 miles out of a full tank. I understand the mileage would read low so In reality it’s maybe more like 220/230 but that still seems relatively low to me but it’s my first truck so it could just be truck mileage. Also my truck seems to be a bit underpowered in my opinion a 4.0 should be able to move faster. I’m sure you remember I just had my transmission rebuilt and lately it feels like it’s been shifting as if it were in “limp mode”. I have no trans related codes or OD flashes anymore. Can a fuel lean or rich condition cause the truck to go into limp mode and shift rough?

 

the code i currently have is P1151, but also P1152 and P0136 come on and off intermittently. Could these possible have my truck go into limp mode and combined with the fuel vapor smells indicate a lean condition and cause bad mileage,underpowered, and limp mode?

 

P1151 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 2
P1152 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Rich - Bank No. 2

This would tend to indicate a wiring issue on passenger side(bank 2) O2 sensor closest to the engine, or the O2 sensor is failing

P0136 02 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank I Sensor 2)
Sensor "2" is the downstream O2 sensor, after Cat converters
"Circuit malfunction" means wiring issue or bad O2 sensor

O2 sensors are on the HOT exhaust system, so their wires are running next to HOT exhaust pipes, so very common for these wires to get too close and melt a bit cause shorts or disconnections

O2 sensors last 12 years then run out of chemicals to detect oxygen, only sensor that wears out, much like batteries wear out after 5 to 6 years, so MUST be replaced
Old O2 sensors also cause slow drop in MPG, so they are basically FREE to replace in the money you save on gas over the next 12 years

Check filler hose for signs of a leak
Do not over fill gas tank, 1st shut off of gas station pump and DONE, do not "top it off"

 

Bank2 = Left Drivers Side?