Hey guys,

I have a 1989 Ranger 2.3l 4x2 and been having "bogging" problems for some time now. Sometimes the thing will run like a champ and then out of nowhere it will decide to spit and sputter and the more I push on the accelerator, the worse it gets. It gets MUCH worse when under a heavier load (ie. going up hills). When the bogging starts, I can kind of play with the gas pedal and find a "sweet spot" where it runs good again. I have changed the plugs, plug wire, and fuel filter. Could it be the fuel pump? I checked all the vacuum hoses (I think) and I didn't see or hear any obvious leaks. Let me know what you guys think I should check next. Thanks in advance....Don

 

Welcome to the forum

Best bet will be to get/rent a fuel pressure tester.
At idle it should be 25-30psi
Then raise RPMs to steady 2,500 and hold it there for 30 seconds or longer and watch if pressure starts to slowly go down, this would mean fuel filter or fuel pump problem, if you alread replaced the filter then yes, replace fuel pump.

There is also a Fuel Pressure Regulator(FPR) on the engine, it has the fuel Return hose attached and a vacuum hose, find it
There are two fuel lines. one from the fuel pump that goes to the Fuel Rail, it feeds fuel to injectors
The second hose is the Return hose, on FPR

Remove vacuum hose on FPR and check it for gasoline, shouldn't be any of course, replace FPR if gasoline is present.
If vacuum hose is dry, plug this hose so no vacuum leak and start the engine
Fuel pressure should now be close to 40psi with no vacuum assist for FPR, FPR should hold pressure at 40-45psi with no vacuum hose attached
If pressure is lower then fuel pump is probably the issue, it can't provide enough fuel to get pressure high enough

 

Thanks for the info!! I will do all this troubleshooting Sunday. Again, thank you

 

that would be your ignition control module acting up . time for a replacement