• 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.

95 Ranger 2.3 help me


DSchuch120

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Hello there.. New to the forums, and had a question. 2.3 motor is definitely misfiring, runs and idles rough and has nearly no acceleration. Top speed is about 53mph so I'm thinking it's timing related. Any thoughts?
 


Mikel89us

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
702
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L (2.5L soon)
Transmission
Manual
Have you changed plugs and wires? If so you may have a bad coil, and if the coils check out, the ignition control module(ICM) may be bad.
 

InsaneBroncoII

New Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2013
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Transmission
Automatic
is it a ohc or is it ohv? Has it been worked on before?
 

Mikel89us

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
702
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L (2.5L soon)
Transmission
Manual
Its a 2.3 ranger, its ohc

Also, he's onto something, cam timing could cause lack of power, but it won't cause a missfire.
 

WarHawk-AVG

Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Dec 19, 2014
Messages
99
Reaction score
2
Points
8
Location
H-Town
Vehicle Year
1997/2000
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L/3.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Semper Fi
bad gas?

Have you done a tuneup on it?

have you run any fuel cleaner in the system lately?

Give us a bit a back history on your truck.
 

DSchuch120

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Yes ohc just changed plugs and wires with little to no change in power. It idles like a v8 and has absolutely no balls. It has a new fuel filter. It has good fuel pressure as well. But the owner before me had the timing belt go out. He changed the belt and may have made a mistake when timing it?
 

DSchuch120

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Bought the truck with 154000mi for 650 it needed a power steering pump, pulley, calipers, a shackle, hanger leaf spring bushing, battery terminals and wires, some vacuum hose and thats as far as I've gotten.
 

DSchuch120

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
The lack of power can't even push this girl up my suburb neighborhood hill. I'd safely say this engine is only putting out about 60hp. In 4th gear wide open, the truck can only go 54mph so I have a small issue
 

Mikel89us

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
702
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L (2.5L soon)
Transmission
Manual
Has it run like that since you got it?
 

96firephoenix

New Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
193
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
All plugs have spark
Not to be an ass, but all 8 of them have spark? I was thrown by that when I bought spark plugs for this engine... you sound like you know what you're doing pretty well, but a double check never hurts.

At 154K, I'd suggest a clogged catalytic converter before I got into the timing
 

DSchuch120

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
The truck isn't throwing any codes, and I the it only had a muffler from the header but I welded on a cherry bomb. It has excellent back preessure. But the idle is very inconsistent and smells rich
 

XLTsplash

Active Member
Ford Technician
Joined
Sep 7, 2013
Messages
795
Reaction score
160
Points
43
Age
54
Location
CA
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Checking the timing marks would be a good place to start because it's easy and won't cost you anything. Ford put rubber inspection plugs in the cover or you can just pull the outer cover off for a better look at things. Just line up TDC on the crank pulley and the diamonds on the cam and oil pump sprockets. If the timing looks good and compression check is another good base check to help you know the condition of the engine. And for your exhaust are you saying the truck didn't have a cat. only a muffler and you added another cherry bomb muffler ?
 
Last edited:

DSchuch120

New Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Points
0
thank you for that info, I will definitely check the timing marks. And yes, it had a foot of pipe from the header to muffler. It has proper O2 sensors. Would the motor throw a code for being off time?
 

Mikel89us

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2011
Messages
702
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3L (2.5L soon)
Transmission
Manual
No these motors wont cause a fault code for being out of time.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

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


Shran
April 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