I am new around here and need some help.

I have a 2000 ranger 5 speed with 2.5l engine. It runs fine in cool weather and when the engine is cool. After and warms up and worse when the weather starts getting warm, I get heavy pinging during acceleration and rough idle. No trouble codes, no check engine light, no overheating. Could this be an EGR issue or something deeper?

 

Most times when you get a pinging you are usually running to low of octane. Most newer vehicles require 87 octane or higher, which inmost places is mid-grade. Try a tank of higher octane gas and see if it goes away.

 

I have tried that in the past with little change but will try it again with a new set of plugs. The gas would not account for the rough idle and stumbling.

 

hey guys, i'm new here, and i saw this thread. i've been having this exact same problem with my ranger ('01 2.5L 5spd) for the past few months. tried replacing plugs, wires, timing belt (it was original with 140k on it) checked fuel pressure, all is well....

now here's the odd thing i've noticed. when it's cranking over, it kinda kicks back, like the valve timing is off. that is what gave me the idea to replace the timing belt, but that's still not the problem. does anyone know how likely these heads are to have have valve issues?

 

Kckback is caused (typically) by to far advanced ignition timing. Given the mileage of both engines, I would suspect the the crankshaft sensor.