Hey All,

I've got an 87 Ranger that has been running like **** for months. I can't figure it out. Any help would be appreciated.

When I first purchased it, it would run great but occasionally there would be a hiccup in power. Almost like it wasn't getting fuel for a split second. Since then, I've replaced both fuel pumps, the fuel pressure regulator, fuel filters, air filter, MAP sensor, timing belt, spark plugs, wires, and dist. cap, IAC valve, EGR valve, water pump, temp sensor, and fixed the exhaust system. It's running worse than ever. I'm getting like 5 mpg and after doing the fuel pressure regulator, I can't even drive it anymore. It won't accelerate fast enough and smell of gas is extremely strong.

When I fired it up the other day, it looked like it might have been leaking coolant into the head because white vapor was pouring out of the exhaust. I put my hand under and smelt it and it was fuel. This thing is apparently just dumping fuel into the cylinders and not burning it all. I've also checked for vacuum leaks but have none unless it's down near the PCV valve, which I haven't replaced yet.

Any ideas? I'm about to sell this damned thing.

Justin

 

Welcome to the forum

There are only 5 ways fuel can enter the cylinders
Thru the 4 fuel injectors
Thru the FPRs(fuel pressure regulators) vacuum hose

Remove FPRs vacuum hose and check it for gasoline, if found FPR is bad, new or not

Remove the large air tube from the intake
Open the throttle, blow into the intake and then SMELL the returning air
Now cycle the key on and off 4 times slowly, that will cause the fuel pump to run 4 times for 2 seconds each time
Do same test and see if you now smell gasoline if so you have a leaking injector or shorted injector wire

The 4 injectors all get 12volts with key on from the same wire, red wire
The computer Grounds 2 injectors at the same time to open them, then grounds the other 2 on the next "rpm"
So there are 2 ground wires back to the computer, if one gets shorted to a ground/metal then 2 injectors will open with key on

The O2 sensor sets the Lean/Rich fuel mix, just FYI, and it only last 100k miles or 12 years, its THE ONLY sensor that wears out, any sensor can fail, but not on a schedule like the O2s, lol
Not your problem, but may have started it, as MPG dropped

All Computer controlled fuel injected engines have "Clear Flooded Engine" mode
Key on
Press gas pedal down to the floor, and hold it down: 0 RPMs + Throttle sensor at WIDE OPEN tells computer to SHUT OFF injectors to........clear a flooded engine
Try to start engine
Engine should not fire
If it does then there was fuel in there, but shouldn't be
But it might get it started again