'93 ranger getting the bugs out

Bought a used '93 xlt last week with the 2.3L. Truck is very clean but needs some help with performance and gas consumption. When the engine is cold throttle response is good but as the temperature climbs the performance goes out the window. You almost have to feather the clutch to get going from a dead stop. Gas consumption seems to be pretty poor also, although I can't give you an exact figure. My first instinct is to replace the oxygen sensor, but I would appreciate any further insight. Also, there is no CEL showing. But I started the car w/o the oxygen sensor connected and still no light was evident. CEL is illuminated at startup lighting check. Patiently awaiting your wisdom,

when the motor is cold the operation is calculated by the computer using a fixed table, that is a predetermined mixture of fuel and air is delivered, when the motor is heated up to about 160 deg. or so it will use information given by various sensors particularly the O2 sensor. O2 sensors should be replaced after a while (100,000miles?)any how, I dont think you can go wrong changing this item. Hope this helps.

New O2 sensor did clear up the majority of the sluggishness. thanks for the confirmation. Engine never seems to reach full operating temperature, even in the 100 degree temps we've had over the last week. Suspect the previous owner pulled the thermostat. The temp gauge barely breaks into the normal range and then will go back down while driving. Why couldn't Ford put the thermostat right out in the open like 99% of the other motors out there? Will let you know if there is any further improvement once the new stat is in place.

New O2 sensor did clear up the majority of the sluggishness. thanks for the confirmation. Engine never seems to reach full operating temperature, even in the 100 degree temps we've had over the last week. Suspect the previous owner pulled the thermostat. The temp gauge barely breaks into the normal range and then will go back down while driving. Why couldn't Ford put the thermostat right out in the open like 99% of the other motors out there? Will let you know if there is any further improvement once the new stat is in place.
hello, same problems here, what happened after you changed your thermostat? my heater doesn't work cause the engine will not get hot enough, i was just getting ready to buy a thermostat.

New O2 sensor did clear up the majority of the sluggishness. thanks for the confirmation. Engine never seems to reach full operating temperature, even in the 100 degree temps we've had over the last week. Suspect the previous owner pulled the thermostat. The temp gauge barely breaks into the normal range and then will go back down while driving. Why couldn't Ford put the thermostat right out in the open like 99% of the other motors out there? Will let you know if there is any further improvement once the new stat is in place.

I just went out and tried to changed the thermostat on a '94 Ranger 2.3L and according to Ford's service manual, the hose for the return hose coming from the heater is disconnected and then remove the two bolts holding the housing. I couldn't even get a socket even with a u-joint on either bolt. One of the bolts is right next to the alternator bracket and one of the A/C lines runs directly in front of the bolts. I still don't know what size socket fits the bolts. After about an hour, I decided to do this job another day. What a #???*#? Anybody else out there tackle this one?

It's been awhile since I changed the stat. There has been no change in the temp gauge readings. I can only guess that there is a problem with the sending unit, maybe corrosion. Since this is the sending unit for the gauge, not for the computer, it's probably of little consequence. Once I had disconnected the hoses to the thermostat housing I used an inspection mirror to locate the bolts on the housing and used, I believe, a 10mm socket. I also seem to remember unbolting the coil mounting bracket and moving it to the side for better access.

Jeiser, I have not been having any heater problems so yours may be an entirely different problem.

Stutzman, my '93 doesn't have a/c so I didn't have deal with that line.

Good luck to both of you.
John K