2.3 Lima or 2.3 Duratec??

[hilltopfarm]

OK, I am looking at buying a 2.3l ranger. There are two I am going to try and test drive tomorrow. One is a 01' 2.3 Lima, the other a 02' Duratec.

The Duratec has 92K on it for $5800, the Lima has 67K on it for $7999. Have any of you guys found one engine preferable over the other? Is the Lima more reliable than the Duratec? I need the truck for commuting on the highway to my 12 hr work shift, so I need it to be reliable. Any suggestions???

Thanks!

 

[ronclark]

I know that 2.3 Duratec is tough motor, but it like lots of RPM's to get good MPG.
we have one at the company i work for it been ran out of oil 3 or 4 time it has 180k and its still ticking. The intake does have a internal butterfly, the shaft wears thought the plastic intake. thy cost about $275.

The 2.3/2.5 has a lot more low end torque and tends to get 28mpg freeway.
I think its a tougher motor, but you do need to deal with the timing belts.
2.3/2.5 can last along time i have seen quite a few having over 200k on them.

I hope that helps

 

[hilltopfarm]

The 2.3/2.5 has a lot more low end torque and tends to get 28mpg freeway.
I think its a tougher motor, but you do need to deal with the timing belts.
2.3/2.5 can last along time i have seen quite a few having over 200k on them.

I hope that helps

Thanks, is the 2.3/2.5 you are referring to the LIMA engine? If so then the Lima is diffidently a better motor. I guess the timing belts go out on it often??

 

[exbass94]

I'd say they're roughly equal in durability/reliability. A 2001 Lima would be a 2.5, not 2.3. Timing belts don't go out often, you just need to replace them around 100k miles. It's a non-interference engine, so you won't damage anything if it breaks.

 

[hilltopfarm]

A 2001 Lima would be a 2.5, not 2.3.

So a 01' 2.3 would be a... Duratec??? Here is the listing http://www.sabetimotors.com/en_us/unitDetail.asp?Unit=400123

 

[Thed]

Yep, that's a Duratec.

"2.3 DOHC"

Limas are 2V, SOHC while the Duratec is a 4V DOHC.

 

[modelageek]

So a 01' 2.3 would be a... Duratec??? Here is the listing http://www.sabetimotors.com/en_us/unitDetail.asp?Unit=400123

today's your lucky day....I am going to save you from making a mistake.........both trucks and engine are good.....the duratec has more power........but that truck is grossly overpriced.........why are you buying form a dealer? is he financing the entire thing? you can look on CL for a few weeks and find plenty of trucks..I would be glad to give you any assistance you need from the east coast......

*I busted out laughing when I saw the "special".....he lowered the price $49....

 

[modelageek]

So a 01' 2.3 would be a... Duratec??? Here is the listing http://www.sabetimotors.com/en_us/unitDetail.asp?Unit=400123

I took a quick look. I don't know if this is a dealer......the truck is 7 years newer, $400 cheaper and is still under warranty.....http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3109970610.html that truck is 30 miles form the dealership that has the 2001

 

[hilltopfarm]

I took a quick look. I don't know if this is a dealer......the truck is 7 years newer, $400 cheaper and is still under warranty.....http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/3109970610.html that truck is 30 miles form the dealership that has the 2001

Thanks man! I thought that the dealer price was quite high.

 

[Kenneth S]

I think the Lima is more durable, parts are cheaper, and plentiful.

 

[EMB1230]

Lima's are twin plug engines, meaning they use 8 spark plugs instead of just 4. The drivers side plugs, although not necessary to run, are a big pain to replace.

 

[hilltopfarm]

Lima's are twin plug engines, meaning they use 8 spark plugs instead of just 4. The drivers side plugs, although not necessary to run, are a big pain to replace.

I guess 8 spark plugs are better than 4?

 

[Thed]

I guess 8 spark plugs are better than 4?

Not really. The extra four go off on the exhaust stroke primarily for emissions purposes. Really, I wish that there were only four on my engine.

 

[ronclark]

Thanks, is the 2.3/2.5 you are referring to the LIMA engine? If so then the Lima is diffidently a better motor. I guess the timing belts go out on it often??

Yes the 2.3/2.5 is a LIMA I think 98 was the first year thy used the 2.5 version

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[Thed]

Yes the 2.3/2.5 is a LIMA I think 98 was the first year thy used the 2.5 version

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Yep the 2.5 started in 1998 when the new generation came out. It was used until halfway through 2001, which is why you see Duratec and Lima 2001 Rangers.