• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Timing Belt Life in a 2.3L Eng??


dorman68

New Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
Messages
170
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
Ok guys I have consulted the Haynes & Chilton service manuals, they state that the timing belt service interval is 60,000miles. My question is regarding my 93 Ranger 2.3L with 144,000mi on the clock. I have had my truck for a little while and it runs pretty good, I have purchased it from the original owner at 135,000mi, he stated that he has never replaced the timing belt. I pulled back the cover a little bit and saw Fords insignia on the belt, it looked in fair shape with a few hairline surface cracks here and there. With that said I am going to assume that the timing belt is original. How long can a push the limits of the timing belt? How long have you guys let your timing belt go for? Right now I am a little short of funds and have to postpone the repair for a while. Any insight will be appreciated.

Thanks
 


5.0

New Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2009
Messages
375
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
In the Middle
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
Gonna get a 460
Transmission
Automatic
Mine had over 180,000 miles when I replaced it, and it looked like the original Ford stuff just like everything else on the truck (previous owner didn't replace anything!). The back side of the belt still looked ok, but the other side with the teeth had a few really bad spots. If you decide to run it for a while and it breaks, the only additional cost is a tow bill.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,987
Reaction score
2,789
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
I thought the interval was supposed to be longer than 60k on the 2.3. In any case, it's not an interference engine. If you need to postpone it a little longer, go for it. The worst case is that you break down on the road. No engine damage will be done.

It's not an expensive repair to do yourself, though. If you've got the time, go for it.
 

Beanmachine7000

New Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
2,007
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
Mine's at 200K on the original... We don't drive the truck hardly anymore and there have been other, higher priority items come up... I got the stuff to do it, just haven't yet, lol...
 

locovaca

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2008
Messages
707
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
DeWitt, IA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
The interval is based on the belt tooth type, as far as I'm aware.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,987
Reaction score
2,789
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
That sounds right. 80k for the square tooth and 100k for the round tooth, IIRC.
 

RobbieD

2.9l Mafia
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
3,802
Reaction score
3,308
Points
113
Location
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1984,1990,1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Toonces drives a Ranger . . . . just not very well.
My Ford-original round-tooth belt broke at 198,400-something miles. The Gates replacement has close to that on it now.
 

dorman68

New Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
Messages
170
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
Guys, I would like to thank you for your feedback and experiences. All of you are a great help. For now, I am going to let my timing belt job slide for a little while, your feedback made me feel more comfortable in trusting my belt for another year and a few more camping trips.
 

fastpakr

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
7,987
Reaction score
2,789
Points
113
Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
Excellent. Good luck!
 

Roger

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
Messages
505
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Tooele, UT
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
I don't have but 98k miles on my 90 2.3, not sure if its round or square tooth. But thanks for lettng me know its a non-interference motor. I'll check to see if its cracked or not, but will probably let it go til failure now.
 

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
7,925
Reaction score
4,227
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
'90 is square tooth, the change happened in '93 or '94
 

ZackB

New Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
49
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Central CT
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Mine broke at about 170K. Getting the crank pully off is the only hard part.
 

jdm_farmboy

New Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
122
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Tipp City, OH
Vehicle Year
1986
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9 v6
Transmission
Manual
Mine broke at about 165k
 

Cacher

New Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2009
Messages
65
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
Well, Mine croaked at about the 144K you are talking about.........hmmm. I am sure it was original-I have found alot of OEM stuff on my Ranger. Even found one spark plug that was never changed at 100k when I did them. The electrode was half melted off, scary.
 

rangerstzz

New Member
Joined
May 21, 2008
Messages
73
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
b.c. canada
Vehicle Year
1985-1992
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3-2.9
Transmission
Manual
the most important thing on these is to check/reset the belt tension every couple of years
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top