1990 Ranger idles rough, bad exaust smell

1990 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
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MICHAEL_GRAY
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  • 1 POST
Started yesterday. My 90 ranger started to idle rough. I also noticed the smell of the exaust was different, smells like gasoline. No apparant gas leak, no bad gas smell when it's not running. I've also had alot of rattling in my muffler (cat. converter?). Seems OK when running down the highway but I noticed that when I'm downshifting, it starts to run really rough. Not like it's misfiring, just really rough.

My check engine light is on but the last auto parts store guy I had take a look at it couldn't get an error code.

Any advice?
Sep 28, 2006 at 8:38 AM
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BUBBA_KOSKI
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 129 POSTS
the auto parts guy did you wrong, i work at advance auto, if the check engine light is on, then we can test for codes, since its a 1990 vehicle and not 96 or above your system runs off of a global obd1 and not obd2, if the light is on at time of test, you will get codes, next get a transmission filter kit perferabally PRO-KING, drain flush and add new to ALL fluids. When or if the test codes read, it may be an oxygen sensor, probally upstream. good luck
Sep 28, 2006 at 11:59 AM
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NOS
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 320 POSTS
most likly is the O2 sensor. it is very possible that a chunk of the converter got loose and shot out hitting the end of the sensor and breaking it off and it can read the O2 coming from the engine. and inturn it is keeping your turcking running rich because it works with the map sensor that tells the computer what to do with the fuel delivery. Recomedation is to have conveter replaced and the O2 sensor. also just do a engine look over to make sure you don't have any vaccum leaks. (NOS) 8)
Sep 28, 2006 at 10:18 PM
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