I have a 95 ford ranger 2.3 ac and powersteering not installed(factory). I have owned the truck since 2004. In the last year I have cleaned the k&n air flilter, changed plugs and wires, fuel filter and cleaned the throttle body. Then it sat after that for a few months. Recently i seafoamed it thought the vacuum line from the brake booster and poured a can in the gas tank. Then it started running rough and backfiring with no check engine light. What I have checked so far is oil level which is good. Cleaned the maf sensor. Took the egr off the the intake couldn't get the tube from the exhaust to intake manifold off but looked the best i could and hit what i could with some carb cleaner. Another new fuel filter (helped a little bit with rough idle no improvement with back fire). Checked to spark plugs they were all clean(not fouled) but the #2 intake side spark plug would not go back in with out some persuasion. Threads wouldn't grab had to put some pressure on it to get it to go. I tried two different plugs so thinking not the plug threads but the ones on the block. Looking for somethoughts. My next guess is low compression cylinder 2 but haven't got a chance to test that theory out yet. Still no check engine light.

Thanks for you help

Pat

 

timing belt?

 

I haven't done one since I owned it. Would that cause backfire bad idle and I think a little bit of valve tapping? How hard/long would you say that is to do?
Thanks
Pat

 

Well went back through the chilton's and used their trouble shooting guide. And came back with a stuck valve. Haven't pulled the cover yet or done a compresion test but I have a serious valve tick and can hear suction when the motor is running. Also the plugs for cylinder 1 are both showing signs of over heating(to hot/whitish in color). I will write something about the compresion test and looking at the valves when I get a chance in a day or 2. If there is anyone in the anchorage, ak area looking for a good shop to take the head to.

Thanks

Pat<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

 

Well pulled the head and nothing but bad news. Cracked #4 piston. Now I just have to if she is done or getting a remaned engine. Anyone have any experiance. Thoughts on where to get one. I am short on posts to put a pic up but I will get there.

Thanks

Pat

 

I have an idea! Find a 87-88 Thunderbird turbocoupe and swap the 2.3 turbo engine in!

 

That is a good suggestion. But I have to give you the same answer that I gave my friend that suggested a 302 swap. Junk yard support up here is kinda weak and finding a whole car to swap from is not easy. But that is defiantly worth a look what trans did they come with? I will give it a good look before I make a decision.

Pat