**Help 96 Ranger No-Start**

[killacal]

Hi, ****FIXED With Solution, See my last post****

I've searched the boards but haven't been able to find a post that helps me out.
I was driving to work earlier this week on the highway, and then all the sudden the ranger died. After pulling over to the side of the highway I soon realized that I'd snapped my Timing Belt. Since the incident I've replaced the timing belt, and now it won't start. Here's what I've tried:

1) I thought I was 180º out, so I brought the engine to TDC, removed the belt, rotated the crank 360º and put it all back together. It still won't start.

2) I've checked for fuel pressure, and it has plenty of fuel. (fuel pump/filter are both less than 1yr old)

3) I check for spark, and I'm getting plenty of spark (I'm using a screwdriver to check). I check both coil packs to make sure I was firing on all 8 plugs.

4) I checked the compression at cylinders 1 & 3, and it's very low (less than 30psi)... but the truck ran great before it tossed the timing belt.

I'm all out of Ideas, does anyone have any suggestions?

This is the 96' ranger in my signature. It's a 2.3, 2wd, 5-spd combo with 209K on it.

Thanks,
Cal

 

[dennis461]

You still have the belt on wrong.
On the Ford 4-cylinder, nothing else should have broken when the belt snapped.
Remember, the marks are aligned when the belt is tight in the normal rotating direction, all slack should be on the idler pulley.

Rotate the engine by turning the crnkshaft in the normal rotation till top dead center is reached. See if marks are still lined up right

 

[killacal]

I've tried that at least 6 times... I fairly confident that they're on correctly.

I've lined up the Cam/Oil pump using the triangles on the pulley, to the arrow on the rear timing cover. Then I lined the crank up using the dot on the pulley, and the notch in the rear timing cover (or block). I also checked the crank using the TC marks on the timing cover....

I will undoubtedly be checking the marks again in the morning, and I appreciate the feedback. I'm just looking for other ideas.

 

[dennis461]

more pics

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?253508-97-2.3-timing-belt
another thought.
if a valve stuck, maybe that's why the belt broke.
Are all valves moving when cranking?

 

[killacal]

I pulled the #1 & # 3 plugs, and I can clearly see the valves moving... I'm wondering if I'm not correctly fixing it for 180º out.

Any thoughts?

 

[feellnfroggy]

you cant do 360 degrees, its a 4 cycle engine so while its on compression TDC 360* makes its the exhaust cycle TDC. Set TDC by both cam and crank then adjust the cam one tooth at a time till it starts, remember to pull the spout plug before adjusting the timing. The cam is how you adjust time, not the crank. (other than lining the marks up)

 

[killacal]

It's fixed!!!!

Here's what the solution was:

Both the Camshaft & Oil pump sprocket have two timing marks. The camshaft has to be lined up using the arrows, and the Oil pump has to be lined up using the diamonds.

I was using the diamonds on both, but after using some brake clean, and a scuffing pad I was able to make out the Arrow on the Cam Pulley.

Thanks for all who replied!

 

[De Ranger]

Thanks for posting the solution.

When people don't it's like reading a whodunit with the last chapter torn out. I have little sanity left as it is and I can't stand to be left hanging.