2001 3.0 will not start

[falconman13]

I have a 2001 Ranger 3.0 FF 2wd auto

I got this on a trade, not running, Motor was locked up.


I have had over 20 Rangers but only 2 with the 3.0
I was sure I could fix this one, (Cocky)


Disassembly showed Cam synchro gear was destroyed, motor was locked up tight, so I pulled it , #2 Main and #2,3 rod bearings were spun or stuck on the crank,

Found a 2005 Taurus FFV 3.0 , with just a tick over 100K on it, So I bought it,

Swapped the oil pan, water pump and upper and lower intakes, Everything went back together pretty straight forward.

Went to start it, stumbled etc... messed with it for a while, finally got it to start, and idled. but seemed to have a slight miss, no CEL at this point, Figured old gas since it was sitting for a while before i got it, Needed trans fluid so didnt want to drive it to the gas station, but I did start it 2 or 3 times and let it run. Seemed fine

That was the first day

Came back into the shop the next day with trans fluid with the intention of filling the tank with premium non ethanol to clean it out, It wouldent start, It will fire and will try to run for a second or 2 but then just not. Multiple trys seems to make it kick back, which to me, seems like a timing issue, but, it was just running the day before

Pulled the plugs, looked sketcy looked carbon fouled to me

This is what I have done so far, with virtually no success at all.

1, Swapped the taurus coil pack for the ranger one,
2. New plugs


Same result

Checked injectors, seems to have a leaking injector, so replaced all 6 with the taurus ones, This fixed the leaking injector but still won't start (slightly better, but no real change)
Fuel pressure 55lbs and steady
Disconnected MAF no joy (reconnected)
Pulled and checked the plugs, seems like they are fouling
Pulled fuel from the Schrader valve and looks clean and fresh
Drained as much of the gas from the tank as I could without pulling the tank, and the gas all looked good, Filled a 5 gal can with hitest non ethanol and replaced

Checked and rechecked and rechecked cam synchro
Pulled the upper intake , checked all my torque specks, all good,

Plus probably several things I am forgetting,

This has been going n for a week, and I am at the end of my rope,

The only thing I can think of is maybe pinched a wire putting the new motor in, I took voltages at the coil pack with key on, and I only have 12 v at the rear pin of the 4 wire connector

Any help at all , any ideas I am open to about anything at this point
Thanks


}

 

[RonD]

To test spark and spark timing do 50/50 test
Spray fuel into the intake and try to start
If engine starts and then dies you have spark(and at the right time) but no fuel is getting in

If no start then its a spark issue...............for now

3.0l used a few different coil packs
But there are only 2 firing orders to chose from
3 4
2 6
1 5

OR

1 5
2 6
3 4

2/6 are always on the center coil, and 1/5 at one end and 3/4 at the other end
If you get no start or barely start just reverse the end pairs

Spark plug gap is 0.044 regardless of what it says on rad support or what you may have read somewhere else, 0.044"


Once you get it running OK watch the engine temp, the transverse mounted 3.0l use a different head gasket because coolant flow is routed differently when engine is mounted sideways
It should be OK but cooling system needs to be in top shape

 

[falconman13]

I have read a TON of your posts and I knew you were the man to know what the answer is
I was not aware of the alrernate firing order



1 5
2 6
3 4

Swapped the 2 plugs and it fired right up. Damn, you are the man!!!


Thanks A TON

 

[RonD]

Good stuff