Engine missing

[Kody]

Hello...hoping to get some light shed onto the issue I am having with my ranger...its got the 2.9 and 5 speed and it recently started having a miss issue...I started with the common things first like the t.p.s and the map and after those didnt help I bought a new distributor and replaced it still same issue...I've tested all my injectors and put new gaskets on them I've switched out the coil all the relays and every other sensor I could find...I also just put in a new computer today with no luck...my fuel pressure tested fine and doesn't drop off when it misses or anything....I'm stumped and any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated

Thanks, kody

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Any time you have a misfire you test compression first to take it off the table, or to find out its the problem
If compression is the problem then you can waste alot of time and money on non-fixes..................i.e. spark and fuel

So test compression
Cold engine
Remove all 6 spark plugs first, and look at the tip of each, darker or light color could mean trouble in that cylinder so keep them in order

test compression of all 6 and write down results

2.9l runs 9:1 ratio so expect 150-155 psi in each, but depends on pressure gauge and battery charge(starter motor speed)

You want all cylinders to be within 10% of the others, so if 4 are 145 and 2 are 120 then you found the problem

You can do a WET compression test to see if its a Valve or Ring issue

 

[Kody]

Welcome to TRS

Any time you have a misfire you test compression first to take it off the table, or to find out its the problem
If compression is the problem then you can waste alot of time and money on non-fixes..................i.e. spark and fuel

So test compression
Cold engine
Remove all 6 spark plugs first, and look at the tip of each, darker or light color could mean trouble in that cylinder so keep them in order

test compression of all 6 and write down results

2.9l runs 9:1 ratio so expect 150-155 psi in each, but depends on pressure gauge and battery charge(starter motor speed)

You want all cylinders to be within 10% of the others, so if 4 are 145 and 2 are 120 then you found the problem

You can do a WET compression test to see if its a Valve or Ring issue

I will most definitely check compression...I have recently done a tune up less then 500 miles ago and truck was running fine for a while after then this issue started happening....it starts up and ideals fine but the tachometer will bounce and flutter around and act like it will die about 3 or 4 times then it will die but always fires right back ...could I have possibly gotten a bad map sensor or i.a.c. sensor and if so do you know what the voltmeter readings should be? I cannot seem to find any information on how to test them in Chilton's or hanes manuals

 

[RonD]

Did you just do a tune up because it was time, or was there a reason for doing it?

A gasoline engine cylinder needs 3 things to "fire"
Spark, at the right time
Fuel, in the right mix with air
Compression, above 130psi

Spark and fuel can be intermittent and you can chase your tail around a few times if you start there

Compression is pretty much black or white, good or bad, which is why its good to start there when there is a misfire, yes takes a bit of time but once its done you have a yes or no answer

New spark plug might help a lower compression cylinder fire more, so problem solved............but it isn't, because it wasn't the problem and it comes back.
Nothing wrong with getting new plugs wires and distributor parts, you do need these things eventually anyway, but finding the cause of misfire is better than hoping its fixed.

It could even be a bad alternator, they can cause misfire and tach jumping, but again you can swap out alternator and battery "hoping" to fix the problem but not really fix it, lol

But best to start with compression and then move on to spark and fuel

 

[Curious Hound]

My best advice is....

Follow RonD's advice. He knows his stuff.


Otherwise, if your engine is truly missing, file a police report. Maybe they'll find it for you.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

TL;DR

If your engine is missing, it has been stolen. Call the police. 2.9ls don't just grow legs.

 

[Ranger850]

@ericbphoto & @PetroleumJunkie412 obviously it was missing AFTER he did all that work. Duh...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

@ericbphoto & @PetroleumJunkie412 obviously it was missing AFTER he did all that work. Duh...

.....TL;DR

 

[Ranger850]

Didn't see that "tl;dr" the first time

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Didn't see that "tl;dr" the first time

Still TL;DR

 

[RonD]

Had to look that up, I am old

TL;DR = too long; didn't read

All I can say is TWPAA

TWPAA = then why post at all

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

All I can say is TWPAA

TWPAA = then why post at all

OH MY GODS GRAMPS GO BACK TO THE 50S
?

 

[RonD]

NFW, I like it here

 

[Snoranger]

Had to look that up, I am old

TL;DR = too long; didn't read

I had to look that one up too... I've seen it before, but it's usually followed by a stupid comment so I just ignore it.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Also, genuine question pertaining to your issue, when you remove the SPOUT connecter and check base timing, is the engine holding time steady, or shifting around a bunch?