# Strange thing going on

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, ranger\
**Created:** [November 11, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425 "2010-11-11T14:56:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bosturdivant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b19c9b/32.png) [@bosturdivant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bosturdivant)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/1 "2010-11-11T14:56:33Z")

</div>

I have a 88 Ford Ranger that is acting really strange. I will be driving along and all of a sudden it starts to bog down and Shake, spit and sputter. It also starts smoking a little. Here is the strange part, If I turn the key off and on real quick it starts running fine again for about a quarter of a mile and then it starts doing the same thing again. Things I have done are: replaced the fuel pump, cleaned out the gas tank. changed out the fuel regulator. Something else is that some days it runs fine and other days it does not. Turning a corner really sharp also seems to cause it to happen.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/2 "2010-11-11T20:12:03Z")

</div>

Where does it smoke from? “Smoking a little” can mean a lot of different things. What color smoke? Smell?

You replaced the fuel pump & regulator - filter? Have you actually checked the fuel pressure? That’s the only way to know.

How old are those plugs & wires?

Any signs of coolant in the oil or vice versa?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bosturdivant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b19c9b/32.png) [@bosturdivant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bosturdivant)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/3 "2010-11-11T20:23:53Z")

</div>

I believe the smoke is white.  
Yes, I replaced the fuel pump, regulator and filter.  
Fuel pressure was tested.  
Replaced plugs and wires recently.  
No signs of coolant in the oil or vice versa.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/4 "2010-11-11T20:55:16Z")

</div>

Ok the smoke is white - and coming from where?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/5 "2010-11-11T21:03:18Z")

</div>

Have you lost any coolant?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bosturdivant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b19c9b/32.png) [@bosturdivant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bosturdivant)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/6 "2010-11-11T21:52:59Z")

</div>

My bad, I’m assuming it is coming from the tail pipe. I can check on that to make sure.  
I do have a leaky radiator.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-thing-going-on/57425/7 "2010-11-12T00:55:26Z")

</div>

Also note the smell of the smoke when you find it.

I think that you should check the compression.