- Joined
- Jan 27, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 1
- City
- Boise
- State - Country
- ID - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 2004
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Total Lift
- No lift
- Total Drop
- No drop
After work one day about two months ago I got into my truck and it wouldn’t start. I’ve repaired pretty much every part I can think of that could cause the issue but nothing has worked. I was hoping someone on this forum with more knowledge than me could help me figure this out.
My Ranger is a 2004 regular car, 2.3L 4 cylinder
I started with replacing the starter since it made a grinding noise and chipped teeth on the fly wheel when I cranked it over. After replacing the starter the engine cranked way better but still wouldn’t start. I went to check for spark and found that my spark plug wells were filled with oil. So I got as much of it out as I could, and then replaced my valve cover seals and tube seals, coil pack, spark plug wires and my spark plugs. That stopped the oil leak. Replacing the coil pack fixed the starting issue. I drove it for about 4-5 days with no other issues, then all the sudden it wouldn’t start again. So I replaced the coil pack again, and used some starter fluid which started the truck but it slowly died off and wouldn’t stay started. Unless I fluttered the gas enough to keep it steady and then it got me home successfully, but the next day it wouldn’t start again. Then I replaced the fuel filter. And then I noticed the new spark plugs I put in were covered in fuel and oil. Which then I realized that when I originally got the oil out of the spark plug wells, some oil fell onto the pistons so I used Sea foam to get that out the best I could. After that replaced the fuel line and the fuel pump. Then I could start the truck but only if I used starter fluid and butterflied the gas. So as a last ditch effort I replaced the crank shaft position sensor, which didn’t work either. Finally I took it into a shop so that they could use their diagnostic tools that I didn’t have. Their diagnosis went good and said that everything looked fine and no codes were thrown up. They also said they check all the wiring and fuses themselves, but I’m not sure how much I trust that. The next thing I plan on doing is at least changing my oil after all the sea foam and potential fuel got in there, and leaked past the rings. I have also checked the inertia switch. My fuel pressure is good, and I have 155 psi in three pistons with one that has 140psi. I used Bosch double platinum plugs then switched to NGK Iridium’s, it seemed to make no difference.
I thought that someone on this forum has potentially ran into a similar issue or could at least give me some insight that would be greatly appreciated.
My Ranger is a 2004 regular car, 2.3L 4 cylinder
I started with replacing the starter since it made a grinding noise and chipped teeth on the fly wheel when I cranked it over. After replacing the starter the engine cranked way better but still wouldn’t start. I went to check for spark and found that my spark plug wells were filled with oil. So I got as much of it out as I could, and then replaced my valve cover seals and tube seals, coil pack, spark plug wires and my spark plugs. That stopped the oil leak. Replacing the coil pack fixed the starting issue. I drove it for about 4-5 days with no other issues, then all the sudden it wouldn’t start again. So I replaced the coil pack again, and used some starter fluid which started the truck but it slowly died off and wouldn’t stay started. Unless I fluttered the gas enough to keep it steady and then it got me home successfully, but the next day it wouldn’t start again. Then I replaced the fuel filter. And then I noticed the new spark plugs I put in were covered in fuel and oil. Which then I realized that when I originally got the oil out of the spark plug wells, some oil fell onto the pistons so I used Sea foam to get that out the best I could. After that replaced the fuel line and the fuel pump. Then I could start the truck but only if I used starter fluid and butterflied the gas. So as a last ditch effort I replaced the crank shaft position sensor, which didn’t work either. Finally I took it into a shop so that they could use their diagnostic tools that I didn’t have. Their diagnosis went good and said that everything looked fine and no codes were thrown up. They also said they check all the wiring and fuses themselves, but I’m not sure how much I trust that. The next thing I plan on doing is at least changing my oil after all the sea foam and potential fuel got in there, and leaked past the rings. I have also checked the inertia switch. My fuel pressure is good, and I have 155 psi in three pistons with one that has 140psi. I used Bosch double platinum plugs then switched to NGK Iridium’s, it seemed to make no difference.
I thought that someone on this forum has potentially ran into a similar issue or could at least give me some insight that would be greatly appreciated.
