1986 Ford Ranger 2.0 Idle/Stalling Problem Help!

[ianthegreat]

If you have ignition spark and you have fuel all I can say is maybe your timing is off.

Could you tell me how I can check for spark? I initially thought spark also since I was putting fuel into the carb manually and it still would not fire. I changed the spark plugs yesterday, along with the wires, so I know it isn't a plug issue. What causes the spark plugs to "spark?"

Can screwing up the order on my distributor cap to the spark plugs cause the engine not to fire? I'll try and find a diagram for this.

Thank you for your help.

 

[ianthegreat]

Checked firing order and it's fine. I'm going to try replacing the ignition coil now.

 

[ianthegreat]

Alright, it's ALIVE! Smooth idle, sounds beautiful!

However, I took it out on a short test run.. It got REALLY hot then started smoking and wanting to die out on me. I'm thinking maybe I didn't connect the vac hoses up properly? Would that cause this?

I'm going to change the oil.. I left the seafoam in there this entire time. Wanted it to really clean out. Maybe the oil has thinned so much it's causing that issue. When it was cool it ran perfect, about 2 minutes later it heated up and started acting funny/wanting to die on me. I even had smoke under the hood when I pulled over.

 

[Mark_88]

You have seafoam in the oilpan? That might cause of the smoke...and be partly related to the overheating...oil takes heat better...doesn't lower the temperature much (although you can buy oil coolers that help keep your oil working longer)...

I'd get that changed out ASAP...

 

[ianthegreat]

Update: New oil filter, new oil, topped off radiator. Let it idle for about 5 minutes, perfect while its cool... then it super heats like a jet engine over that 5 minute period. Slowly start to see traces of smoke out the tail pipe, and burning smell eventually from under the hood. The radiator was nearly on fire. I shut it off after about 6 minutes and getting a bit uncomfortable. Every line I could feel was hot. It's definitely over-heating. What could cause overheating with such a smooth idle? Timing? Knock?

Ideas?

Could an incorrect vac line placement cause this problem? Or could I be looking at bigger issues?

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

 

[dangerranger83]

Sounds like your thermostat when bad and isnt opening but you said your radiator is hot.....your thermostat my be opening halfway or so, i'd replace it just to be safe.

 

[ianthegreat]

Sounds like your thermostat when bad and isnt opening but you said your radiator is hot.....your thermostat my be opening halfway or so, i'd replace it just to be safe.

I'll check out the thermostat.

I read a thread where someone mentioned a waterpump, possibility?

 

[dangerranger83]

It could also be that but I would replace the thermostat first to save money and time. If that doesnt work then it is more or less the water pump.

 

[Mark_88]

You can check the water pump easily...just remove one of the two hoses connected to the heater core and it and start it up...run the hose into a bucket to save it for later if you just replaced the fluid...if it doesn't pump...you found your problem...if it does pump...could be the thermostat...

 

[ianthegreat]

You can check the water pump easily...just remove one of the two hoses connected to the heater core and it and start it up...run the hose into a bucket to save it for later if you just replaced the fluid...if it doesn't pump...you found your problem...if it does pump...could be the thermostat...

Mark,

Are these the two hoses you are talking about? The two to the left of the green circle running into the trucks cabin. Those two hoses were VERY hot I noticed yesterday, after you confirm this i'll unplug one, run it into a bucket and see if it spits coolant.

 

[Mark_88]

I can't see the pics, but if they run into the cab on the passenger side of the firewall then, yes...those are the in and out hoses for the heater rad core...they run from the pump so one will give you a good spray if the pump is working properly...not sure whether it's the top or bottom one that goes into, but if the pump is working you should get coolant out of both...

 

[locovaca]

No, those are not the heater hoses. The heater hoses are to the left of the green circle, side by side... right next to the blower motor box.

 

[Mark_88]

No, those are not the heater hoses. The heater hoses are to the left of the green circle, side by side... right next to the blower motor box.

Ooops...well, I hope he didn't cut whatever it was he was referring too...because the only other "hoses" are electrical wires...

 

[ianthegreat]

Ooops...well, I hope he didn't cut whatever it was he was referring too...because the only other "hoses" are electrical wires...

Ok I got one of the hoses off, it was literally glued to the tubing from the heat. I didn't start the truck because I already dumped out a ton of coolant. I went ahead and ordered a new water pump and thermostat, about to go pick them up now.

A coincedence these happened to just stop working inbetween my carb replacement? Doubt it, but it will be good to have new parts on I guess. I think I probably screwed up something with the timing. Not sure how, maybe when I was messing with the distributor..

Anyways, I'll get these two parts installed and update you guys on Monday. Have a great 4th!

 

[ianthegreat]

Quick update:

New fan belt, V-belt, water pump, water outlet, and thermostat installed. I also replaced/re-ran all the old coolant hoses. I'm now just waiting for a timing light I purchased off eBay to come in and i'll test the timing.

Hopefully, crosses fingers, all goes well and it will be up and running within a few days!