Could use some help

[94_PurpsRange]

So I have a 1994 Ranger XLT 2WD... i just found out that my air intake snorkel duct has a rip in it... mind you... this truck has NEVER been garaged until the last 6 months. Anyways, i seem to have some power issues when the truck is climbing a grade... I just figured out that my intake hose has a hole in it... would that cause my truck to dog when it starts to go up and incline? I know it will effect the MAF sensor... but i didnt think it would cause my truck to lose power trying to climb.. i go up this hill by my house and I have tried to get after it at about 65 MPH.. and by the time i get to the top im lucky to be doing 40 MPH...

I thought it was the CAT until i removed it.. it helped a TINY bit... but that obviously wasnt the issue...

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[RonD]

Yes, it can effect power, MAF sensor is weighing the air coming thru it, but only 10% if it, so at the computer end(calculation) it will be a 10 times error
Just seal it with duct tape or ?? for now, finding a replacement will be very very hard
Air/fuel ratio is a WEIGHT ratio
Gasoline's ratio is 14.7:1
14.7 pounds of air to 1 pound of gasoline
14.7 grams of air to 1 gram of gasoline

Computer already knows its running a 4 liter engine, so knows how much air is coming in at any RPM, but it doesn't know the weight of that air
Cold air is heavier than warm air("hot air rises", because its lighter)
Air at sea level is heavier than air at 5,000ft elevation
So air weight is a big deal

If some of the air is by-passing the MAF sensor then computer sees that as lighter air so adds less fuel



Check throttle cable
Put a stick on the gas pedal against the seat to hold it down all the way
Go to engine and see if you can open the throttle a bit more
If so Google: Ford Ranger throttle cable mod
Easy fix

If computer never sees WOT(wide open throttle) from the throttle sensor then power will be way down when you need it
At WOT computer ignores O2 sensors, and feeds more fuel in, runs engine richer for best power not best MPG

Check engine vacuum
17"-21" is spec at idle
Hold engine at say 2,000rpm and watch vacuum, should stabilize and stay steady
If it starts going up you have a clogged intake, limited air flow IN
If it starts going down then clogged exhaust, limited exhaust flow OUT
Engine is just a self powered Air Pump

Check a few spark plug tips
If they are darker brown then engine is running too Rich and that will cause lower power
Usually caused by older O2 sensors, O2 sensors only last 12 year or 100k miles which ever comes first
As they get older they cause richer running, which also cost you $$$

 

[94_PurpsRange]

RonD thank you so much for the update bud!
I will dig into it this weekend and give you an update!

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I echo RonD's post- If the rip is after the MAF sensor, the engine is receiving air that it does not "know" it is getting, thus often causing a lean code, rough idle, hard starts, etc. Low power could very well be caused by this issue.

 

[94_PurpsRange]

Right on thanks Cam! I appreciate all the help... once this rain dies down here in SoCal I'll get that bitch torn apart and see if I can render this situation.
I am going to order about $1,000 worth of regular maintenance shit tomorrow so I can at least get her back to be dependable-ish and i can get everything else taken care of. Right now i have the CAT out because before I noticed the tear in the intake hose I thought I had a plugged CAT... which I still might so im going to take it to this local guy by me and have him weld in a test pipe there so its not so ungodly loud and so i can smog it legally for now lol