help with ford diagnosis.

[outlander]

My friend has a 1993 ford ranger with the 2.3L,dual plug,ohc motor in it that revs up really slow,almost like the ignition isn't advancing fast enough.The ignition is distributorless so base timing is non adjustable.

We bought a code scanner and noticed when we hooked it up and started the motor it ran noticeably better for a minuet or two then went back to running like crap???

We have already eliminated the exhaust(cut it off)and cat. as the problem.Thats what I thought it was at first.

At idle the motor is running at 20*btdc at idle(is this where it should be?need to get a manual) and is slow to advance up to 30*

The motor doesn't miss or backfire at all....if the timing belt jumped just one tooth would it cause it to run like this???

Thanks for any help.

[IMORTL]

My friend has a 1993 ford ranger with the 2.3L,dual plug,ohc motor in it that revs up really slow,almost like the ignition isn't advancing fast enough.The ignition is distributorless so base timing is non adjustable.

We bought a code scanner and noticed when we hooked it up and started the motor it ran noticeably better for a minuet or two then went back to running like crap???

We have already eliminated the exhaust(cut it off)and cat. as the problem.Thats what I thought it was at first.

At idle the motor is running at 20*btdc at idle(is this where it should be?need to get a manual) and is slow to advance up to 30*

The motor doesn't miss or backfire at all....if the timing belt jumped just one tooth would it cause it to run like this???

Thanks for any help.

its a ford.. sell it and move on...

[outlander]

Thanks...
anyone else?

[Menzenski]

You might get better advice if you posted it in the proper forum:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=48.

[XJRunner]

its a ford.. sell it and move on...
For
Off
Road
Driving

First
On
Race
Day

For
Only
Racecar
Drivers

Take
Off
Your
Oversized
Tires
Asshole

Can
Hear
Every
Valve
Yell


can you tell I like Fords? But I would rather have a New silverado then a new powerjoke ford

[outlander]

You might get better advice if you posted it in the proper forum:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=48.

oops.Mods please delete this thread.

[Chero-King]

Since this thread is probably going to be deleted anyway...I'll put in my contribution.

First
On
Race
Day

More like:
F*cked
On
Race
Day

or
Fails
On
Race
Day
:D

Fix
Or
Repair
Daily

For
Only
Retarded
Drivers

Fords
Only
Run
Downhill
...I've got many more...But you get the idea.
:) :roll:

[ScoutinXJ]

yes it will! I have build and work on alot of these motors. they don't rev fast ne ways. The 2.3 is not a very powerful motor ne ways. How many miles are on the motor?

[chelms27]

its a ford.. sell it and move on...
X2, ding ding ding!!!

XXXXin$
Owner
Really
Dumb

[Matthew Currie]

A bad timing belt is one fairly obvious possibility, but don't ignore the really obvious one: have you checked the fuel filter?

[DrMoab]

F#$K !!
Our
Ride
Died

:D

but to be fair

Drips
Oil
Drops
Grease
Everywhere

Swedish
Automobiles
Always
Breakdown

[madmechanic]

i have replaced alot of ignition modules on those trucks. check to see if you have spark out of both coil packs. last one i had in the garage was only getting spark out of one coil pack in fact only on the exhaust side car ran rough had no power and wouldn't rev up. hope that helps.:D

[outlander]

It's not the fuel filter because when we hooked up the code reader it ran normal for two minuets...the code scanner manual said that the ignition will be advanced 10* while a timing check is done with a timing light for two minuets,so if it was a partially clogged filter it wouldn't run good with the scanner hooked up.

Right now the timing at idle is 20* factory specs are 10*btdc.What would cause the timing to be at 20* instead of 10*??

Possible bad ICM??

Thanks for the replies.

[mavinwy]

When you ran the codes...did you get any?

There are several sensors on a ford that can cause some really strange runability issues.

Jim

[outlander]

no....the mil isn't lit either.

[outlander]

Had the icm checked...its good.Noticed today that the manifold was glowing cherry red at idle....still haven't figured it out but I think its safe to say its timing related.but whats causing it?

[mavinwy]

I am assuming the exhaust manifold :)

Likely then a plugged Cataletic Converter or other exhaust restriction, since you have no cat.

[outlander]

yes the exhaust manifold.I can't see how it is some kind of restriction in the exhaust....its cut off right after the manifold.It has to be timing related.But what is causing the timing issue is the question.??Bad computer?Throttle position sensor?

[87manche]

don't forget your fire extinguisher for when the engine compartment catches fire :)

[outlander]

nah.....shit isn't flamable.

[mavinwy]

With no exhaust. Have you changed the timing belt recently? maybe it is off by a tooth/slipped?

[RTicUL8]

EDIT: I had an '83 ranger.
I see that they still had problems with the timing belt 10 years later.

I had it from '85 to '91

I had to replace the timing belt 5 times

Fuel pump - once.

Motor mounts - once.

Radiator - once.

hmmmm....that was about it.

====

Several years after I sold it to my wife's uncle, he was driving north on I-25 and it started smoking.
There was an electrical fire and it ended up burning to the ground on the side of the freeway. :firedevil

====

Oh by the way - I have NO desire to own another ford :thumbdn:


====

[outlander]

With no exhaust. Have you changed the timing belt recently? maybe it is off by a tooth/slipped?

The dumbass that put the timing belt on purposely installed it one tooth off.He said that this was as close he could get it.It ran normal like this for 2 months.Untill now when this problem cropped up it ran normal with the cam timing one tooth off.So like I said before if the cam being one tooth off was causing this problem it would have been noticeable as soon as he started it after the belt was installed.

What is responsible for ignition advance on these distributor less motors

[Matthew Currie]

Consider the possibility that the cam timing one tooth off was tolerated just barely by the engine, and that you didn't notice the hot manifold when it ran better, and now the belt has stretched a little, something else gone off a little, etc. just enough to make the problem critical. It's sometimes possible to tune around an error like that, but it can be very touchy. I'd still get in there and put the belt right, because it's still a prime suspect for a red-hot manifold.

[mavinwy]

Exactly, trying to troubleshoot a problem, when another known problem exists will just drive you in circles......

Jim