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2004 Ford Ranger fuel issues

Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
Sometime in the fall I began noticing a major drop off in mileage. Currently I can confidently say I am getting only 10 mpg. I had been getting more like 16 in the city and 20+highway. I have had no problems with this truck or previous Ranger ever. I talked to my dealer who suggested it was a clogged injector so I tried a couple of gas treatments to no avail. Then they thought maybe it was a brake issue--had them inspected and they said everything checked out. I parked it for several days and looked for obvious leaks and found one small gasket leak around RF axle so I had that taken care of but it has still not solved my underlying issue. It seems that even just turning the engine over causes the gas needle to drop. Where is all the fuel going? I drove six miles round trip to my wifes work and it was like someone was siphoning my tank! I have no obvious leaks like around the gas tank or anything like that either which makes this all the more puzzling. Oil and air filters have been changed recently and are done on a regular basis. OBD did not help since I have no check engine light.
Is this a fuel pump issue? Spark plugs? Timing? My dealer does not seem to have any ideas and I am increasingly frustrated.
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Friday, January 15th, 2010 AT 8:16 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Can be anything from a bad MAF sensor, bad thermostat, bad alt/regulator(low VPWR). I sent a PDF for you to look over, you need a scantool to look at Long term fuel trims, and check the chart for the right test.
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Saturday, January 16th, 2010 AT 10:00 AM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I read about the MAF sensor somewhere else and I did clean it which didn't help but it could be defective also. Could you explain how the thermostat or alternator could affect mileage? What is VPWR and "longg term fuel trims"? Sorry I am not up on the lingo.
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Saturday, January 16th, 2010 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If the motor never warms to correct operating temp, it will stay in open loop and run extremely rich as it does in open loop, in closed loop the 02 sensors are added and so is EGR, 02 sensors are probably along with the MAF the most important fuel control sensors on the car. Low voltage does not allow the PCM to operate correctly! It is unusual for any of these sensors to be bad at 50,000 but not impossible. A thermostat or the ECT(engine coolant temp) sensor may be the place to start here. Does upper radiator hose get VERY hot? It should be cold until the tstat opens, then get hot. This should take 5-10 minutes. Testing a thermostat requires either a infrared thermometer aimed at the thermostat housing, or removal and suspend it in boiling water and a thermometer to see what temp it opens at.
Did the dealer test the fuel pressure and fuel pressure regulator? I also need the engine size in liters, 3.0 or 4.0?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_locations_2.jpg

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Sunday, January 17th, 2010 AT 7:20 AM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
It is 4.0 L. It seems the thermostat would make the most sense since it seems to use a lot of fuel at start up and with my local commute since the engine may not warm up or fast enough.
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Sunday, January 17th, 2010 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Let me know if you need any more help with this, I would like to know how it resolves!
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Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I am waiting to get an appointment to get those things checked out. I was also wondering about my serpentine belt. Visually it doesn't appear to have any cracks but in the largest span (maybe 6 in.) I have a half inch of play (between main drive and a/c comp.). Does this sound about right or not?
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Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Shouldnt be a problem, no chirping or squealing?
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Sunday, January 24th, 2010 AT 5:48 PM
Tiny
SCHUMACHERT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I'm experiencing the same problem with my 02 Ranger, extended cab, 4x4, 4.0 V-6, automatic, 59000 miles. Did you find a solution to the fuel consumption problem?
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Saturday, February 6th, 2010 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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Usually if I dont hear back from the questioner, it's been solved, did you test as I described?
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Sunday, February 7th, 2010 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
SCHUMACHERT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I bought a thermostat and will be making an appointment to have my cooling system flushed this week. After the fllush I'll install the thermostat and watch it for another tank full. I just filled my tank with gas, documented 11.8 mpg and added a fuel system cleaner/additive. I have also located the MAF on the truck and was given some advice on how to clean it using carb cleaner or ether although I don't want to do too much at once or I won't know what the fix was. I must be honest and add that I also realized I only had 15 psi in my front tires so now all the tires are at the mfg recommended pressure. I'll be watching it over the next 45-60 days as I dig deeper.
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Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 AT 11:56 AM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I am having it tested on friday the 12th. I had planned to do it sooner but the two blizzards set that back. I will let you know the results.
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Thursday, February 11th, 2010 AT 6:52 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Dont use either one to clean the MAF, MAF spray cleaner is now sold. Cleaning usually does not work.
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Friday, February 12th, 2010 AT 3:06 PM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Dealership ran dignostics and said they found no error codes. I asked them about the thermostat, MAF, PCV etc and all they told me was that nothing came up as errors. What that tells me is that rely too much on the computer to tell them what is working instead of checking each component. They did do a fuel trim ck and said that I was getting 18-19 mpg highway but that they can't figure it for more local driving. So as of now I have had no resolution to this issue. If the dealership where I bought it doesn't seem to want to dig in and investigate it more I guess I am stuck for now.

The last couple of mornings I have gotten a wiff (inside cab) of gas upon start up. Don't know what that might mean. I think my next move is to replace fuel filter and plugs and see where that gets me.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 7:05 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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No codes will show up if the system runs normally! If it stays in the wrong mode, as in warm up, it will run rich, beacuse it's designed to! You need to test the ECT and thermostat as I posted. OBD II scanner is only as good as the problem, if the PCM sees no porblem, it wont set a code.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I asked them to do that and I guess they are just stonewalling me. I need to find someone in my area that is willing to do some homework. I will keep after it.
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 3:51 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Have you done anything with the ECT or thermostat yet?
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 AT 4:46 PM
Tiny
SCHUMACHERT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I aired up my tires to the recommended psi. I've replaced my thermostat after having the cooling system flushed. Since doing that I got 10.8 mpg and 11.8 mpg on the next 2 tanks of gas.

I'm not getting any faults either so there is no sense going to the garage. I also believe they rely on the computer too much.

I will look into MAF cleaner.

What is the ECT?
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Monday, March 15th, 2010 AT 7:17 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
ECT= Engine coolant temperature sensor. It acts like a choke for EFI engines. If it tells the PCM that the engine is cold, it will supply more fuel. Clean the throttlbody with the engine off. Use a rag and spray throttlebody cleaner into the rag. Pressure test the fuel system, yours has a Mechanical returnless system, if the pressure regulator isnt working right, too much fuel could be sent to the injectors. Pressure should by 30-65 psi.
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Monday, March 15th, 2010 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
JMICHAELS
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I had some surgery done and have not been able to visit this problem for a while.

I flushed and filled coolant and replaced thermostat along with fuel filter. After I track mileage for a couple of tanks I will get back to you with results.
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Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 AT 4:21 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
OK I'll check in again, Good luck with the recovery!
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Saturday, April 3rd, 2010 AT 8:47 AM

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