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Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:33 pm

I have a Ford 2.3L Turbo that is not running right:
When I rev to 3k- 4K it is loosing power and running rough.
I tried clean air filter thinking starved for air - no change
I tried new fuel filter thinking starved for fuel- no change
Ran it up the street to get a coffee, approx 1 mile and notice the fins on the SuperTrap spark arrestors are glowing orange hot when I get there.
I baby it back home and no glowing.
Lately lights dim noticably when not reved up.
What can it be?

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:57 am

New motors will run hotter when breaking them in.It may be jetted a bit lean check your plugs, you want a brownish tint on the plugs.If its too lean you can burn a piston.I might catch some flack over this but IMHO I think if the headers are glowing red (after its broke in) its too lean, I would fatten it up a bit. also check the timing and for any vacuum leaks on the carb and intake system.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:44 am

Definitely sounds like a lean condition...

Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:41 am

This is no new engine, and it was running fine before.
The engine is fuel injected, turbo so not much tunability.
I was thinking it must be more of and ignition problem then running lean.
I will check for vacuum leaks.
Would and exhaust leak possibly cause this. I did notice and small crack just behind the catalytic converter and in front of the supertrapp muffler, plus there is a leak right where the pipe connects to the exhaust manifold.

and I did just change it to this:

But this was all a pre-existing condition to any changes on the intake

Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:31 am

With the changes you just made, I would check that Mass Air flow sensor. They have a tendancy to get contaminated, and with an offroad application it may be worse. And since you just moved it, that may be the culprit.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:09 pm

How or what would contaminate it. I don't know what to look for???

I checked all around the engine for tubes that may have come off creating a vacume leak but found nothing.

Does the mass air adjust the fuel intake through the ECU?

Could it be plugs, wires, etc? I checked to make sure all connections were good.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:25 pm

Yes, the mass air flow sensor is what tells the ECU how much air is going into the engine.
Sounds like your long intake may be restricting the air flow.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:41 pm

I'm not positive which one that year uses, but there are a couple different types. I think that one uses the Hot wire. Pull it off and look down the center of it, if there is a couple wires going across make sure they are really clean. The computer senses how much air it takes to maintain an certain temperature across the circuit. Any dirt on it will throw off the readings and your fuel trim will be off.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:44 pm

The exhaust leak may have a small part to play in a lean exhaust condition... a small part. I would start by checking the fuel pressure. Should be 28-35 PSI I believe. Anything less would cause an issue similar to what you describe. Check the pressure with the fuel pressure regulator vacuum attached, and disconnected. The pressure should jump up significantly with no vacuum at the regulator.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 3:40 pm

there is a flap sort of thingy that must be opened by air flow and then there is this other sensor type of thing hanging down. So I should try to clean it all inside.....with brake cleaner, gas.....???

I can't see my revised air intake piping would reduce air flow significantly. The I.D. of the pipe is 3" which is larger than the opening on the back side of the mass air, but who knows. Maybe I should try just sticking the filter back directly on the mass air sensor and take it for a spin and see what happens.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:28 am

Turns out it was the O2 sensor. Took my mechanic buddy for a rip, and I think he shart himself :lol: