Mechanic Advice Please... - Page 2

Fish · 08-08-2006, 10:19 AM

My poor ol' truck is having some issues as of late. It started having difficulty turning over every once in a while. It seems like 1 out of every 20 times I try to start it the engine will act like it's flooded, even when I didn't touch the footfeed. I can hear the starter spinning, and I took the starter off not long ago and it tested fine. It will just chug-chug-chug and never turn over. In the last 2 weeks it has started dying on the road while I'm driving. All the electrical systems still work fine, but it just acts like the fuel was cut off, or combustion just all of a sudden failed. When it dies while driving, I'll try to start it again and it starts the chug-chug-chug and won't turn over.

Funny thing is if I let the truck sit for 20 minutes or so, it will fire up fine and usually not do it again for another 20 starts or so. The engine feels like it's idling a little slow as well.

It's a 4.0L V6 EFI. I haven't changed the plugs and wires in a while, but I wasn't sure if a bad plug would cause that type of behavior, especially when the engine is already running..

Any ideas on what could be causing this would be greatly appreciated.

Earthling · 08-08-2006, 11:01 AM

Id still check/replace fuel filter first...

Hydrae · 08-08-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iowanian

sounds like a plugged fuel filter or fuel pump going out to me at first glance.

Yep, my first thought was the filter. Sediments plugging the filter, reducing fuel flow. Thus the low idle as well as the occasional dying/hard to start issue.

Although replacing your plugs might be the bast place to start, sounds like it needs to be done anyway. I would think if it was spark related like that though, it would tend to run rough as one or more cylinders has a hard time firing. A distributor issue wouldn't have this same reaction though so I don't think we can rule that out yet.

Fish · 08-08-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

Although replacing your plugs might be the bast place to start, sounds like it needs to be done anyway. I would think if it was spark related like that though, it would tend to run rough as one or more cylinders has a hard time firing. A distributor issue wouldn't have this same reaction though so I don't think we can rule that out yet.

The thing is when it finally turns over, it doesn't run rough at all. Maybe idling a little too low, but I don't feel any loss of power like I would expect from a plug not firing.

Would a plug fire only part of the time if it was bad/going bad?

Thanks again for everyone's help...

Brock · 08-08-2006, 11:20 AM

As near as I can tell, the cam sensor is on the distributor. So that is a possibility as far as spark issues go.

Hydrae · 08-08-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

The thing is when it finally turns over, it doesn't run rough at all. Maybe idling a little too low, but I don't feel any loss of power like I would expect from a plug not firing.

Would a plug fire only part of the time if it was bad/going bad?

Thanks again for everyone's help...

If the plugs are fouled, your spark is weak and can cause a loss of power. But I would expect this to affect each cylinder differently so it would probably cause the engine to run rough. Thus, it would be good to change them (increase your mileage if nothing else) although I doubt the is the source of this problem.

Brock brings up an interesting point I overlooked before. I wonder if it is possible that the distributor jumped a notch thus putting it out of sync with the cam and causing the engine light alert?

Mind you, I am not a mechanic and, when possible, I take my car to the pro down the street. Just got tired of wracked knuckles and the like. So all of this is just musing off the top of my head and should be taken with that in mind.

Fish · 08-08-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

As near as I can tell, the cam sensor is on the distributor. So that is a possibility as far as spark issues go.

Yes it is. It slides into the distributor at an exact 60° angle, and requires a special tool to remove/replace. I wanted to get some ideas first before I dropped money on this special tool.

I've wondered if that could affect the timing... but I didn't think it would affect it that much.....

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-08-2006, 12:29 PM

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ranger-ev/

sorry that's for an EV. Check for a regular Ranger site. I'm short on time or I would

Halfcan · 08-08-2006, 12:35 PM

Buy a new car from Carmax!

Fish · 08-08-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Buy a new car from Carmax!

Radar Chief · 08-08-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Fish

Yes it is. It slides into the distributor at an exact 60° angle, and requires a special tool to remove/replace. I wanted to get some ideas first before I dropped money on this special tool.

I've wondered if that could affect the timing... but I didn't think it would affect it that much.....

The “Cam Position Sensor” is tell’n the ignition computer module where your engine position is and helps is figure when to fire the next cylinder.
That makes sense as far as your engine just die’n on ya. Failures with an ignition module are typically related to heat, at least in my experience.
Though, your starter grinding slowly and not always start’n the engine sounds like a different problem, if I understand what you’re say’n here.

tomahawk kid · 08-08-2006, 01:44 PM

Ok - I've got one for you guys.

I've got a '93 Ford Ranger, auto tranny.

A few months back, the engine began to "buck" when it shifts from first to second gear.

When you run the AC, the "buck" gets much stronger.

My first fear was that my tranny was bad, but I've had it checked twice and both places indicated there we no shavings in the tranny fluid etc.

Last time I was in the shop, I had them replace the battery thinking it was a voltage problem (battery was apparently pretty low). That's only helped marginally.

Also had the rear U joints replaced last year as they were going bad.

I had a buddy tell me it could be the speed sensor. When it's in first, the speed needle will "wobble" until it "bucks" into second. After that everything's smooth.

Other than that, it runs great

Any thoughts?

tomahawk kid · 08-08-2006, 06:19 PM

**Skip Towne** · 08-08-2006, 06:29 PM

On KC Fish's problem, I'm not even sure it is possible to flood a fuel injected vehicle. With a carburetor, each time you pump the gas it shoots gas into the engine. Not so with FI. Also, it probably isn't plugs or wires. When they are failing, the engine misses as you accelerate.

08-08-2006, 10:19 AM
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1511081	Mechanic Advice Please... My poor ol' truck is having some issues as of late. It started having difficulty turning over every once in a while. It seems like 1 out of every 20 times I try to start it the engine will act like it's flooded, even when I didn't touch the footfeed. I can hear the starter spinning, and I took the starter off not long ago and it tested fine. It will just chug-chug-chug and never turn over. In the last 2 weeks it has started dying on the road while I'm driving. All the electrical systems still work fine, but it just acts like the fuel was cut off, or combustion just all of a sudden failed. When it dies while driving, I'll try to start it again and it starts the chug-chug-chug and won't turn over. Funny thing is if I let the truck sit for 20 minutes or so, it will fire up fine and usually not do it again for another 20 starts or so. The engine feels like it's idling a little slow as well. It's a 4.0L V6 EFI. I haven't changed the plugs and wires in a while, but I wasn't sure if a bad plug would cause that type of behavior, especially when the engine is already running.. Any ideas on what could be causing this would be greatly appreciated.
Posts: 48,904

08-08-2006, 11:01 AM	#16
Earthling MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $10008447	Id still check/replace fuel filter first... __________________ AND SOMETIMES IT'S NOT SO EASY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR ONLY FRIEND TALKS SEES LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE YOU AND YOU DO JUST THE SAME AS HIM -Jiimi Hendrix
Posts: 5,995

08-08-2006, 11:20 AM	#19
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	As near as I can tell, the cam sensor is on the distributor. So that is a possibility as far as spark issues go.
Posts: 47,314

08-08-2006, 12:29 PM	#22
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ranger-ev/ sorry that's for an EV. Check for a regular Ranger site. I'm short on time or I would
Posts: 6,009

08-08-2006, 12:35 PM	#23
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Buy a new car from Carmax!
Posts: 43,200

08-08-2006, 01:44 PM	#26
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	Ok - I've got one for you guys. I've got a '93 Ford Ranger, auto tranny. A few months back, the engine began to "buck" when it shifts from first to second gear. When you run the AC, the "buck" gets much stronger. My first fear was that my tranny was bad, but I've had it checked twice and both places indicated there we no shavings in the tranny fluid etc. Last time I was in the shop, I had them replace the battery thinking it was a voltage problem (battery was apparently pretty low). That's only helped marginally. Also had the rear U joints replaced last year as they were going bad. I had a buddy tell me it could be the speed sensor. When it's in first, the speed needle will "wobble" until it "bucks" into second. After that everything's smooth. Other than that, it runs great Any thoughts?
Posts: 5,974

08-08-2006, 06:19 PM	#27
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	bump
Posts: 5,974

08-08-2006, 06:29 PM	#28
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	On KC Fish's problem, I'm not even sure it is possible to flood a fuel injected vehicle. With a carburetor, each time you pump the gas it shoots gas into the engine. Not so with FI. Also, it probably isn't plugs or wires. When they are failing, the engine misses as you accelerate.
Posts: 69,689