Hey guys,

Here's a problem with my '99 Ford Ranger 3.0L F/F 4WD. It has 256k miles (about 80k on a rebuilt block).

So I broke down on the Jersey Turnpike the other day, just a complete loss of power while driving (gauges fine, no sputtering/backfiring). Tried cranking and had no response (sounded like no ignition but there was compression). By the time that I got towed to the garage, I tried cranking and it sounded like there was no compression (no pulsing resistance during the crank). The tow truck driver assumed that the timing chain broke on me.

So, a shop (Midas) in Jersey has my truck now and are working on it. They say that the valves are moving, so no timing chain issue. They also say that they can get it to start by cranking for 3 min and then it "builds up pressure", starts, and runs fine. If they shut it off and leave it for an hour, they have to do that same process again.

I've heard some people say that fuel flooding can strip the cylinders of oil to lose compression, that the timing chain might have jumped, that the ECU could have gone bad, that the oil pump may not be pushing the lifters enough, or that the cam sensor went bad (shop is currently trying the cam sensor, which doesn't make sense to me). I've never heard of anything like this before. Any thoughts?

 

Sounds like new fuel pump time.

 

My initial thought was a faulty fuel filter (I just replaced it this past week) or a bad connection with the ford quick-disconnects on it, but the shop says that there's good fuel pressure....

 

Welcome to FTE.

Is the CEL lit???? If so, post ALL the computer trouble code Numbers.

It takes fuel, air, spark & compression to make em run, so which one, or combination there-of is missing????

I don't understand the cranking the engine for 3 minutes to "build pressure", so it'll start part???? Build what pressure, compression???? Have they done a compression check yet, if so, post the numbers????

BTW, cranking the engine that long will overheat the starter motor & sure won't do the battery any good either, so be prepaired to replace them soon!!!!

Have they done a spark check yet???

They say it has fuel pressure, so what were the KOEO & KOER fuel pressure numbers they measured????

Have you been having any problems prior to this????