spark knock/detonation

dougrousse · Aug 21, 2007

I have a 97 Ranger 2.3 5sp. is there any way to adjust valve timing, does this have a knock sensor ,the truck runs great get about 26-27mpg won't handle the load from the air conditioning once the engine is up to temperature which is not above normal. how about some clues
Thanks Doug

ranger1999xlt · Aug 22, 2007

mine did that too. What fuel do you run in it? I started to use 91 Octane- Premium, then mine quit. try a higher octane Gas! Good Luck ranger1998xlt

Wicked_Sludge · Aug 22, 2007

you can "adjust" the valve timing on any engine by adjusting the timing chain/belt (belt in your case).

might be worth your while to clean your MAF and check for vacuum leaks.

Dave R · Aug 23, 2007

Wicked_Sludge said:
you can "adjust" the valve timing on any engine by adjusting the timing chain/belt (belt in your case).

Depends on your definition of "adjust", you can 'adjust' the cam timing which will 'adjust' the valve timing.

Neelybd · Aug 23, 2007

I want to adjust mine also, but I don't have a timing belt, it's all computer controlled. I have a '96

Wicked_Sludge · Aug 24, 2007

you still have a timing belt. all engines need to drive the valves somehow, and thats either by chain or belt.

but its not something you usually "adjust". a jumped timing chain/belt will usually cause pretty severe driveability problems.

dougrousse · Aug 24, 2007

got any idea on how to clean MAF , when I talked about adjusting timing back in the olden days you could adjust timing by turning the distributer,back when they had distributers

ranger1999xlt · Aug 24, 2007

the MAF is right on your factory air tubing. take the cover off, but be VERY CAREFULL AND DO NOT TOUCH THE MAF WHEN YOU TAKE IT OFF. Clean it with brake parts cleaner and CAREFULLY put it back in. I repeat- DO NOT TOUCH THE MAF AT ALL, there are tiny little springs that can break. Try that and see if it helps!

Wicked_Sludge · Aug 25, 2007

dougrousse said:
when I talked about adjusting timing back in the olden days you could adjust timing by turning the distributer

i know how to adjust timing on a distributored engine (if 1993 is "back in the day"). you asked how to adjust the valve timing. ignition timing and valve timing are two very different animals. while you cant adjust the ignition timing on your truck, you CAN adjust the valve timing.

ranger1998xlt said:
there are tiny little springs that can break.

springs? not in a MAFS. theres an element..but its inside the sensor and protected by a metal plate.

to clean the MAFS, as ranger1998xtl said, remove it (you can touch it all you want, you wont hurt it unless maybe you throw it on the ground). then spray inside the sampling tube with O2 sensor safe carb cleaner (not brake cleaner). wait for it to dry then re-install.

jmzneal · Aug 31, 2007

you can also brake out a hack saw and dremel and gut the middle part of the MAF out and just leave the barrel....polish the sides up and leave the back side where the plate covers the back of the "elements" open....i just did it to mine and it helped mid range alot...

and if you advance the cam timing i heard it's 9*Degrees for good low end torque...

Ozwynn · Aug 31, 2007

check on that 9*........ that might be an interference type engine..... if it is then 9* might damage the engine. I could only go 6* with my DOHC Saturn with out causing major damage (because it already has some advance when built).... been 9* on everything else (even a DOHC 3.4L toyota v6)

When ever you advance the cam timing always turn the engine over by hand before starting unless you used a timing set that already is either marked specifically for your engine or has the proper advance built into it.

jmzneal · Aug 31, 2007

good point...i didn't know they made rangers with interference motors...i'd like to find a preset timing set that would make it a lot easier.

Dave R · Aug 31, 2007

2.3 Lima motors are non-interference, you could run it at 50* if you wanted to.

Personally, I never felt any significant benefit to the bottom end when I advanced the cam more than 3-4*. At 8-10 degrees you'll start to loose top end.

Bob Ayers · Sep 1, 2007

Everybody seems to be confusing valve timing, with ignition timing!!!

Explorin94 · Sep 1, 2007

Bob Ayers said:
Everybody seems to be confusing valve timing, with ignition timing!!!

DING DING DING DING DING .............. WINNER!

spark knock/detonation

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