Help with bad gas mileage and no power from OHV Ranger

[scruff]

So, I have a 99 Ranger 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto. 185,000 miles.
The trans has just been rebuilt and it seems to run as normal.
The only slight odditity is that it throws a check engine light when I first starts it, which is a direct result of the well known Oil pressure switch blockage. It sorts itself out after about two minutes of running. I'll be changing the switch soon.

OK here is the problem. I struggle to get 16 mpg. AND it's slow. Now I haven't driven any other 4.0's so I have nothing to compare with, but this motor will barely rev beyond 3700 rpm ! It's sad. Pulls well before that but then goes dead flat.

It's got new plugs and new ignition leads, I threw these on because I thought maybe it just was revving out due to weak ignition, but it didn't help.
I also cleaned the K&N air filter (stock airbox), not that it was dirty and it's full of new oil/filter.

So what should I be checking ? Or is this all I can expect from this motor ?

 

[wood1]

Plugged converter?

And when did you last change the fuel filter?

I always start with the tune-up parts. Then go from there.

 

[hunterdan]

+1 on the plugged catalytic converter and do check your fuel filter as well.

Dan

 

[scruff]

Cool thnks guys, good suggestions.

I've only had the Ranger since December so I haven't changed the filter, chances are the last guy didn't either, I think he was maintenance retarded.

The plugged cat converter will also be easy, I will knock the stuffing out of it this weekend. If it helps I'll get a new one before emissions next year.
Has this thing got one or two (or more like my 5.0)

Cheers

 

[wood1]

Let us know how things turn out.
Good luck.

 

[scruff]

Well I pulled the Cat converter off and gutted it.
It didn't appear blocked, and it doesn't seemed to have made much difference. Slightly louder exahust note (very slight) but thats about it.
Haven't run through a tank yet but at half tank it seemed to be getting around the same, as in horrible.

Last tank was with me romping on it a far bit and it only got 14.4 mpg !! eeek.

Fuel filter is ridiculous, I've tried one of the cheap metal sets of removal tools (even modififed them to the point of destruction with no luck, and no have a plastic set and STILL can't can't get even one side off.

 

[wood1]

Sounds like the filter hasn't been replaced in quite a while, good possibility there...

 

[leefhead]

i have the same issue with the fuel filter not coming off....had a plastic set, got the side towards the rear off easy. the side towards the front wouldnt come off no matter what i did...so i havent changed it...at 280,000 km's, and me not knowing if it was ever changed...concidering the one thats on there is motorcraft... i dont know what to do there =/

 

[wood1]

I think I'd find a good mechanic and pay him the few dollars he will charge to change it.

I mechanic buddy of mine won't even let the guys that work for him do those hard ones, he sometimes spend quite a while on those old fuel filters. Takes lots of patience.

 

[leefhead]

ive brought it into just lubes (a oil change place who also do fuel filters and all kinds of other junk) and they broke their tool (same tool as i had i believe). i dont really trust anywhere in town =/ anyone got some recomendations for someone in sudbury ontario canada? lol

 

[ThePhoenix]

i had to go to Pep Boys to get my filter off. It is NOT as easy as some say...even with the tools. why couldnt they just make a snap line, like a n air hose fitting?

 

[scruff]

i had to go to Pep Boys to get my filter off. It is NOT as easy as some say...even with the tools. why couldnt they just make a snap line, like a n air hose fitting?

I would hack my own hands off with a dull knife before I'd take anything to Pep Boys.

My intention is to spray some lube in there and work it back and forth a bit, get the o-rings lubed up - leave it for a couple of days, then get a friend to hold one end while I work the tool and hose end.

It has been suggested to me to simple cut the line and use decent clamps.. but I'd rather not butcher it.

 

[chriswells78]

I had to pretty much do that on my Mountaineer. The fittings were rusted and in my brut force attempt to get it off I broke the steel line connecting the tank to the filter. I got it off. Then I went to napa and got a new fitting for the filter and some EFI rubber fuel line and 4 fuel line clamps. I used 2 clamps per side on the original line and on the fitting side because I'm a little bit **** like that. I never had a problem with it though.

 

[scruff]

I had to pretty much do that on my Mountaineer. The fittings were rusted and in my brut force attempt to get it off I broke the steel line connecting the tank to the filter. I got it off. Then I went to napa and got a new fitting for the filter and some EFI rubber fuel line and 4 fuel line clamps. I used 2 clamps per side on the original line and on the fitting side because I'm a little bit **** like that. I never had a problem with it though.

And I bet filter changes are a doddle now right ?
Maybe I SHOULD go this way - but I'll try the high road first.

 

[chriswells78]

I wrecked the truck about 6 months after I did that so I never changed it again.