1995 Rodeo 220K 3.2 4x4

[kyote01]

Greeting All,

My 95 Rodeo has been running great until recently. Keeping up with the PM work greatly helped. Yes, it has nearly 220,000 miles. I had it to the dealer and to other shops several times in the recent months. They say nothing is wrong and to live with it. Wrong answer. This is one for the 3.2 V-6 engine experts. The engine has great compression.

The problem started awhile back with a noticeable hesitation and drop in gas mileage. I run 93 oc and normally get 16-21 mpg. There is NO check engine light or NO fault codes. I found one of the plugs not firing due a bad distributor. I changed all 3 distributors, ICM, all plugs and plug wires, O2 sensor, MAP sensor and even the computer because it had minor errors, had the injectors recleaned, changed the fuel/air filters, PCV valve, timing belt and tensioner and the problem appeared to worsen.

Currently, a vapor lock (poping) is more frequent and would happen when the accelerator is depressed. There is a pulsing when I need power or try to accelerate, especially up a hill. It reminded me of the old Model T movies when they make a put-put-put sound.

It acted like it had a bad plug or wire breaking down. Changed all plugs and wires again along with the MAP sensor and no help.

Any suggestions?

[amigo-2k]

The first thing I think of is some sort of emission problem. Dirty EGR valve or dirty PCV valve. Or maybe your Catalytic converter is really plugged and is causing a lot of back pressure? Maybe you can find a small shop to replace your cat for you? Jegs.com is a pretty good place to buy cats at.

[rodeo02]

What brand of spark plugs are you using? How do the plugs look when you pull them? (signs of misfire) Does the exhaust smell like gasoline?

Joel

[Super 95.5 Rodeo]

I have a 95.5 3.2L V6 4X4 as well. It has 245000 miles. I am encountering the same problems. Low gas mileage, rough engine at low idle. Still have great compression. Not burning oil. Did the spark plug wire change and injector change 25000 miles ago with no significant change in performance. Now get about 14-15 mpg where I used to get almost 20 mpg. Thinking about pulling the manifold off to see if the air intake or exhaust is blocked with carbon.

[anthonyn]

Originally Posted by Super 95.5 Rodeo

I have a 95.5 3.2L V6 4X4 as well. It has 245000 miles. I am encountering the same problems. Low gas mileage, rough engine at low idle. Still have great compression. Not burning oil. Did the spark plug wire change and injector change 25000 miles ago with no significant change in performance. Now get about 14-15 mpg where I used to get almost 20 mpg. Thinking about pulling the manifold off to see if the air intake or exhaust is blocked with carbon.

Lower gas mileage? Check/Replace O2 sensors yet?

[Super 95.5 Rodeo]

Replaced O2 10000 miles ago when I replaced fuel pump.