Possible problems and solutions for smoke emissions and power loss in the 2009 Ford Ranger

Hello everyone, I need your help! I have recently noticed strange symptoms when driving my Ford Ranger (built in 2009, gasoline engine). When accelerating, black smoke comes out of the exhaust, the indicator light comes on and the cold start time is longer than usual. I also feel a loss of power, jerking when accelerating, the fuel consumption is high and the exhaust smells strongly. I suspect a problem with the mixture control (mixture too lean), but I am not an expert. Do you have any experience with this and can perhaps tell me what I might have to expect from the mechanic? How have you solved such problems in your workshops? Would be super grateful for tips and experiences!

(Translated from German)

4 comment(s)

Hi there! I drive a 2007 Ford F-150, which is pretty close to your Ranger. I'm not a car expert, but I've had to do it myself several times. I had a similar problem in the workshop. In my case it was a broken lambda sensor. They are important for the fuel supply as they enable the air-fuel ratio to be determined. If they are defective, this can lead to the symptoms you mentioned. The repair cost me a total of 375 euros. So, depending on how similar the problem is, you could be looking at this too. Can you tell us a bit more about your vehicle, e.g. whether you have noticed similar problems before? These details could help us to help you in more detail!

(Translated from German)

Thank you for your answer. I've never had a problem like this before. Oh dear, 375 euros doesn't sound very cheap, but I don't want to give up my car either. I will definitely have the lambda sensor checked. About the car itself, it's a 2009 Ford Ranger with a gasoline engine. I had the last service at 66907 km, since then I haven't driven much. Hopefully I can solve the problem quickly, the high fuel consumption is really annoying. Do you have any other tips on what I could do?

(Translated from German)

Sure, no problem, I'm happy to help. An error code scan would be helpful, if not already done. A fuel system fault will probably show up there and the scan may give further clues to the specific problem. 375 euros is certainly not a lot of money, but as you know, a car is an investment. And if the lambda probe problem really is the cause, then that should solve the high fuel consumption and the other symptoms. That's good to know about the last service. Maybe it's also time to change the spark plugs if they've already got a few kilometers on them. They can also cause misfiring and similar problems. By the way, on my Ford the people at the garage used a fuel additive, this can also help improve engine performance. So you could ask about that next time you're at the garage. So all in all, get the fault code scanned, check the lambda sensor and see if the spark plugs need changing. With a bit of luck, your problem will be solved!

(Translated from German)

Hi, you're really a great help! Error code scan sounds good, I'll bring that up at the garage. Spark plugs and fuel additive, all noted. That sounds like a solid plan, hopefully that will solve the problem. Otherwise, I think I'll have to bite the bullet and pay for the repair. Thanks again for your time and tips! I hope I can get back to you soon with some good news. Until then, take good care of yourself and your Ford!

(Translated from German)

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