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3.0L 2003 Ranger 3 cylinders Misfiring i need some help please


red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L

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You can order one of each of the 1.834 and 1.776 free height springs, they are cheap. Do you have the tool to compress the spring?
Yes I have compressor at home here and the spring tool from my dad I think I will order the 1.834 first because they come in packs of 4 but they are cheap so I could get both I shall check my financial situation
 


mikkelstuff

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My sad experience, if one valve spring breaks, the others will probably fail in short order. Likely a fatigue failure in that lot of valve springs. My failures were all exhaust valve springs as well.
 

Mechrick

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I see a lot of broken valve springs in vehicles that sit for long periods of time (motorhomes, boats, etc.). What can happen is rust can form on the springs which turns into a stress riser and forms cracks. It's a good idea to start engines like that once a month and let them run long enough to get to operating temp and recoat everything with oil.
 

red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L

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ohh ok i have 4 springs coming i got the 1.8something height spring size and there on there way but i have one very important question and that is would the exhaust valve have been hit by the piston at all or is it fine because i am worried that i will put the new spring in and then the valve is bent and the piston is scored or worse on the top also the thing about the rust on the spring makes sense for this truck it sat for a while.
 

Mechrick

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It's entirely possible the piston hit the valve. I've got a camera small enough to go into the spark plug hole to view the top of the piston and the valves. The only other way to rule that out is get the valve to installed height with a new spring. If the tip of the valve doesn't sit level with all the other valve tips, that indicates it's probably bent. Or just compression test it once good springs, rockers and pushrods are back in place.
 

red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L

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It's entirely possible the piston hit the valve. I've got a camera small enough to go into the spark plug hole to view the top of the piston and the valves. The only other way to rule that out is get the valve to installed height with a new spring. If the tip of the valve doesn't sit level with all the other valve tips, that indicates it's probably bent. Or just compression test it once good springs, rockers and pushrods are back in place.
Ahh ok so yeah the connecting rod looked good so not replacing that and so with the rocker arm but I am replacing the spring I hope it’s 1.836 or something like that also thank you I really need a little camera like that
 

Mechrick

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Throw 'usb borescope' in an Amazon search bar. Cool tool.
 

mikkelstuff

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I use one of these though 25 buckaroos might be too much for your budget. Also requires wifi reception.


I'd just reassemble and try it. If no compression, you will have to tear it down anyway.
 

red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L

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hello everyone i am glad to announce that it was just the valve spring !!!

so we opened up the valve cover and sure enough the valve spring for cylinder 3 (exhaust) was snapped in half so we took it out and checked the connecting rod and it was good but put the new spring in and started her up and she jumped to life. And i was very happy to see that but yeah i am able to drive it again and it runs good a but shaky still but its a ranger it could also be engine mounts i don't know also it feels a bit sluggish now but i think that's because i have a exhaust leak. but anyway thanks to everyone who helped and gave there opinion i appreciate it
 

mikkelstuff

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Good for you Sarah. You can do this mechanic work as well, if not better, than us old geezers!

Not surprised that it was an exhaust valve spring. My then new '75 Ranchero 460 broke maybe three valve springs - all exhausts. They must run hotter than the intake valve springs.
 

red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L

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Good for you Sarah. You can do this mechanic work as well, if not better, than us old geezers!

Not surprised that it was an exhaust valve spring. My then new '75 Ranchero 460 broke maybe three valve springs - all exhausts. They must run hotter than the intake valve springs.
yeah it must be because after all it is the hot exhaust coming out of the engine and not the cold air coming in but thank you for your help and support i just love my little ranger and glad to be working on it on my own.
 

red Ranger (Sarah)3.0L

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i have one more thing tho so the truck shakes a little bit more than usual now and the engine runs a small bit rougher than before now,also when i rev it it sound like it cuts out and then continues the rev that wasent like that before any suggestions?
 

pentode

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You sure it's running on all 6 at this point?
 

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