'92 Ranger Problems

[Sobe]

Thanks Tiger. Well i restarted it again this evening and there was no gasoline smell this time around so i'm hoping nothing's wrong in that area.
In regards to plugs and wires i'm pretty sure they're fine. I just threw a new set of wires on last week but i'll check the plugs again just to be on the safe side.
I picked up an MAF from a '94 Explorer and threw it on a couple days ago but it didn't seem to help. I'm wondering if maybe i have a plugged up fuel filter or maybe the timing's outta whack on it?
The problem is that it cranks over just fine but won't seem to catch. I know the fuel pumps still working okay because you can hear the buzz right when you engage the ignition. Like sometimes it'll start after a little while and then other days just nothing.

 

[289-tiger-]

No problem,

Sounds like your on the right track checking what you have and doing a tune up, a new fuel filter never hurts and its cheap.

Let us know how the plugs look. Check to make sure wires are in correct order.

Then we'll see what's next.

Good luck

 

[shadetree]

The hard start could be several things. The Engine Coolant Temperature sensor acts like an automatic choke, and if it goes bad, the engine will be hard to start when cold, not enough fuel. When the engine gets warm/hot the hard start usually will go away until the engine gets cold again.

If it fails in the other direction, which is kinda rare, it will keep too much fuel in the engine, making it sluggish, run rough, and you will smell the aditional fuel.

The throttle position sensor will also make the engine hard to start usually all of the time, but normally no fuel smell.

Open vacuum lines will cause hard starting.

A stuck fuel injector. shady

 

[Sobe]

Okay so i left the truck for the day and just decided i'd try and start it and she fired right up. I'm quite confused. I can't figure out why it will just refuse to start sometimes and have no problems another.

 

[289-tiger-]

Sobe, you have me confused too. Out here in cyberspace it is difficult to identify problems we can not see. Start with the foundation of the house. Intake, compression, ignition and exhaust. Plugs look OK?

Remember, no matter how difficult a job may be ....always throw your tool in a safe direction and never at anything you do not intend to destroy.

Keep smiling and good luck . You might fix something that will help somebody else.

 

[Sobe]

Update:
So i just had my dad take a drive with me (after disconnecting all adjustments to throttle/transmission kickdown cables) and he experienced the same noise i had heard but informed me it wasn't a ticking/clicking noise but in fact a ping. He suggested it was probably caused by premature combustion as a result of bad timing as the noise only occurs under medium to heavy acceleration.

 

[Sobe]

UPDATE #2
The ping is now gone!!!
My dad had the good mind to take off my new MAF and put the old one back on. Lo and be hold the pinging was no more. He suggested that the new MAF must have been running far to lean of an air mixture causing pre combustion. I also threw a new set of plugs on it for good measure and as of right now all systems are a go.
I'm definitely going to be taking that MAF back to the wreckers where i got it on Monday.
Thank you so so much to everybody who gave their suggestions and time to help me with my problem it was GREATLY appreciated.

 

[289-tiger-]

Good job.