What is wrong with this truck now???

[SCRAPINRANGER]

I have a 98 ranger 3.0 auto with 141,000 miles. It idles fine and starts fine. Gas mileage is nonexsistent. I am still throwing the p1151 code. I'm waiting on my new o2 sensors to get here. The truck seems like there is more then just bad o2 sensors. In the rain the truck hiccups going down the road even worse when going up hill. If I punch it it sounds like it is popping right under my seat. My girl said she was expecting flames to come out from under the truch haha. Even though it pops it accerelates and still hiccups under load. A buddy of mine says it might be out of time. Could this be the problem? How much of a pain is it to fix since there is no distributor? I just want my truck to run right again I miss the way it use to run. Thank you in advance.:roll:

 

[Tbars4]

...You should have continued with your old thread instead of starting a new one...People who were previously helping you will not know that you did not resolve your problem..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239188

...Read this...It has an ending...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167620&highlight=p1151

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

Sorry about that. I wasn't sure if that post would have been considered old and wasn't sure if I could even add to it anymore.

 

[fixxxer]

Some of the active threads on this site are hundreds of postings long and were started years ago.

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

Once again sorry. One of the other forums I'm on archieves threads when no one posts in them for 30 straight days.

Either way I'm still wanting to fix my truck. I'm gonna do the o2 sensors and see what happens.

 

[jlsparky7]

I would start with the basics. Not sure what that code is, im guessing lean o2 sensor? There is a way to test 02 sensors. Heres the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdn4Dk5PSwc
Do the basics, hit it with some seafoam, fuel filter, new plugs, fresh gas, pressure test the fuel system, injector cleaner if you dont want to put seafoam in the gas tank, check for exhaust and intake leaks, more than likely it is something simple. There is some helpful how-tos in my signature if you want to check them out. Cleaning your MAF, IAC, and Throttle body all make a HUGE difference even if they arnt the problem.

A lean 02 sensor is going to make the computer dump more fuel which will cause the engine to run rich. That could be the cause of the bad fuel economy. A rich condition will probably cause carbon buildup in the combustion chamber. If that carbon buildup isnt cleaned out (Seafoam) then it can get hot and cause a "glow plug" effect. The glow plug effect will predetonate your fuel which will cause the computer to retard the spark a few degrees (worse fuel economy). If it still goes untreated it can cause a clogged catalytic converter (even worse fuel economy).

Do the stuff I mentioned above and it should clear up the problem. Reset your computer afterwords. If the code comes back then throw the new o2 sensor in.

 

[fixxxer]

DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code)1151 indicate the system is correcting rich for an overly lean condition. HO2S (Heated O² sensor) voltage greater that 0.45volt. Possible causes: Fuel system; Excessive fuel pressure, leaking fuel injector(s), leaking fuel pressure regulator, low fuel pressure, plugged injector(s), damaged/disconnected HO²S circuit. Induction System; Air leaks after MAF, Vacuum leaks, restricted air inlet, PCV system. Engine; Oil overfill, cam timing, compression. Ignition; coil and secondary side of ignition system. check air intakes for leaks, obstructions and damage. Check air filter, filter housing for blockage. Check PCV system integrity. Check engine vacuum integrity.
HO²S integrity - check for moisture inside of the HO²s harness resulting in a short to ground, HO²S coated in contaminants, HO²S open circuit, HO²S shorted to ground, inspect harness for chafing, burned wires or other damage. inspect sensor and connector for indications of submersion in water, oil, coolant etc. service as needed

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

Ok I put the new o2 sensors in and the truck idles alot smoother. How ever under full accelaration the truck wont spin the tires over at all not even a chirp and it feels like the motor is still being held back. At 35 to 50 mph the truck starts popping and backfiring (?) from under the floorboard. WTF. Now where do I go? Does this mean the cat is bad?

 

[fyrfyter612]

If it pops and misfires in wet weather I would take a serious look at the plug wires. A good way to find out if they're acting up is get a spray bottle...fill it up with plain water. Then start the truck up and observe the idle quality...if it's an automatic trans even brake torque it a bit to see how it's running. Then spray the plug wires down with water and do the same over again to check how it's running. If it starts popping you have bad plug wires. Before I traded my ranger in I had gotten a real nice set of MSD plug wires. Also check the basic tune-up stuff...if the plugs are worn replace them with a new set of Motorcrafts.

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

Pops even when dry now. Plugs and wires are less then 3,000 miles old and are all motorcraft.

 

[big5dogg]

try giving it a tune up my uncles ranger used to do that, it used to make a popping sound every time he stepped on the gas all he did was changed the plug wires and spark plugs

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

Why would I have to give it another tune up if I just did it with all motorcraft parts?

 

[Tbars4]

...I'm curious if you followed up reading the link I posted in post #2..???

 

[jlsparky7]

Did you do what I suggested as well?

 

[big5dogg]

guess i didnt take a look at the second posting:roll:

 

[nitro71]

If the code says sensors you gotta replace em and clear the code before looking for other problems..

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

All o2 sensors are replaced. I bit the bullet and went out and bought new wires, plugs, k&n air filter, pcv, fuel filter, oil and oil filter. I did go ahead and clean the maf again. I didn't seafoam the engine but I did clear the codes. The popping still persists. I'm really starting thinking its the catalytic converter. The truck is still very sluggish. Going up a hill is a task. I just want my truck to run right. So now what? Thank you for any and all advice. one more thing everything was motorcraft except oil oil filter and k&n air filter.

 

[nitro71]

So no engine codes now? And it's sluggish.. How could the Cat affect it being sluggish? If it's a auto could be tranny... If not it's fuel, air, compression, spark, computer.. I would think you'd have to run it rich for a long time to screw the Cat up? Might be time to have a pro give it a test drive..

 

[SCRAPINRANGER]

I had code cleared and check engine light is back on. The p1151 was on there for almost a year it seems. The truck really feels like its being held back.

 

[nitro71]

If you replaced the sensors that the code indicates that means it's the harness or the computer maybe?