1992 ford ranger problems beyond me!

[slr0718]

Hello Everyone,

I am going to try an explain everything in as much detail as possible.

I decided to take my (1992 Ford Ranger 2.3L Manual) on a road trip about 100 miles from where I live. I made sure the oil was checked and full, tire pressure, and fluids where good before the trip. Miles on the truck 130,000 I've owned the truck for over 6 years and have taken good care of the vehicle, mostly driving it in town.

No more than 30 miles out of town at a speed of 65 mph I noticed my oil gauge or meter in my truck was flickering back and fourth. I immediately pulled over and checked the engine out to make sure it wasn't losing oil. Than back on the road i went no more than 20 miles later the truck started to make a noise which ticked from the engine and as I kept going the noise kept getting loaded and the ticking got worse. I began reducing my speed at this moment I noticed my oil gauge was all the way pointed to the left indicated 'No' oil pressure.

Soon after the ticking sound got really bad and the truck just stopped running. Make a long story short I had the truck towed back to my house.

(Now to the problem)

The truck doesn't start, I first tried pulling the spark plug on the intake side and turning the key over, but there was no spark. I than checked the coils they where good. I pulled the plug again on the intake side and still no spark, but I noticed a flame shooting out of the spark plug whole from the exhaust side of the truck so i knew the exhaust side was getting a spark. I recently had the brain box that goes to the engine checked and it passed as good. I have manually pulled out all the fuses both located on the side of the engine and underneath the truck all good.

I called up a few dealerships in hopes of pinpointing the problem and here's what they said: "either its the camshaft sensor or the crank shaft sensor". Another dealership said it was my cam shaft timing that could be the problem. Lastly I wanted to get your guys opinions on what you think it is or if you have had to same problem which would help me narrow this problem down.

 

[dangerranger83]

If those sensors go out, your dead in the water.

As for the oil gauge, hook up a manual gauge to it see if you still have pressure. If not, your in deeper water.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[bigmark303]

Id really be concerned about the fact the oil gauge dropped and you kept driving until the truck stopped running. Just because you had oil in it doesn't mean the pump was working. Oil pump may have failed hence the louder and louder ticking from no lubrication to the top of the engine.

If the engine is cranking that is a decent sign. If the camshaft or crankshaft position sensor goes bad the engine wont start.

Id start by draining the oil and see what comes out. You may have your answer right then and there if the oil pump stopped working. It may not be worth it to go any further trying other fixes to get it started again.

 

[slr0718]

I will drain the oil and see what comes out. But, yes the truck turns over with no problem. My initial guess was the oil pump at the time. Thank you both for your comments both answers are very justifiable.

 

[rdsrds123]

Same problem I had:

'92 Ranger with 2.3 flickering oil needle, intermittent. Then it finally dropped to zero and the engine chattered. Spun bearings.


Verdict: oil pan gasket broke off on the inside of the engine and plugged up the oil pick up screen. Engine now toast. So sorry.

I cut open the oil filter and found some of the pan gasket fragments.

When I get the engine out I will take the pan off and check the screen.