QuestionI have an 87 ranger, 2.3L, it's not a 4x4 but, matbe you'll have some fresh idea's, once the vehicle warms up, when I accelerate it sputters as if it were starved for fuel, I've replaced the fuel filter, checked the tank for contaminates and replaced some suspicious vacuum lines. For a couple of days it ran great, no hesitation, then it started again, short of getting it analyzed, I'm stumped, any ideas would be appreciated, Thanks.
AnswerHi James,
Your statement, "Once it warms up", makes me think it is something electronic.
Normally, sensor readings are not even used while the engine is cold, which would explain why it doesn't act up till warm.
Then sensors like the oxygen sensor, MAP (Vacuum) sensor, Air flow sensor, etc are used by the ecm to provide the optimum fuel/air mix.
Dirty injectors come to mind, but something like that would be dirty weather hot or cold, so should miss cold also.
I have had camshaft position sensors go bad that would show a problem after warmup, but most of the sensors are in that category.
Reading stored fault codes would be the first step I would take.
Parts houses will often loan or connect a fault code scan tool for free, hoping you will buy any necessary parts from them, so you might try that avenue.
Throttle position sensor, and fuel pressure regulator are a couple things to check.
Van
