Kalwren
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2009
- Messages
- 118
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Transmission
- Manual
I have a 6cyl 3.0 engine in a 1994 Ford Ranger.
I can start it up and it runs like a champ. Pulls hard and strong on a 5 speed manual transmission.
I can drive quite a ways on the freeway, pull off and go to work. I can start the engine at night and drive home with no issues.
However, once the engine is off and has been sitting for 15 to 20 minutes and baking in its own heat, it won't start until it's cooled off quite a bit. If it does start, it runs VERY rough and acts like a piston isn't firing. If I step on the throttle, I get no response. It usually sputters and dies. It may or may not start back up but it does the same thing, it won't rev up until after the engine has cooled off.
I can duplicate this issue while driving through stop and go traffic. Eventually the engine will start to sputter and die. Sometimes it restarts, but the problem comes back within minutes. Sometimes it restarts and runs really rough and if I step on the gas it'll sputter and die.
I just bought this vehicle a week ago and it was a rude shock to find this problem. I took it in to a mechanic and they were unable to duplicate the issue, as I didn't give them as much detailed information as I have here. I hadn't figured out what the common denominator was until a few days ago.
When I took it to the mechanic, they did find a coolant leak. They hooked up a pressure thingy to my radiator and found coolant leaking. They believe it's leaking from the intake manifold. They said to continue to drive it, but watch my fluid level. I've driven it for 4 days like this and have only had to add coolant twice. It's like it's not leaking now as the radiator is staying full.
I'm taking it back to the mechanic in a couple days.
Anyone have any suggestions as to what this problem might be? I don't know these engines that well as I've not had the vehicle long enough to learn it all yet.
Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post and I appreciate your time!
I can start it up and it runs like a champ. Pulls hard and strong on a 5 speed manual transmission.
I can drive quite a ways on the freeway, pull off and go to work. I can start the engine at night and drive home with no issues.
However, once the engine is off and has been sitting for 15 to 20 minutes and baking in its own heat, it won't start until it's cooled off quite a bit. If it does start, it runs VERY rough and acts like a piston isn't firing. If I step on the throttle, I get no response. It usually sputters and dies. It may or may not start back up but it does the same thing, it won't rev up until after the engine has cooled off.
I can duplicate this issue while driving through stop and go traffic. Eventually the engine will start to sputter and die. Sometimes it restarts, but the problem comes back within minutes. Sometimes it restarts and runs really rough and if I step on the gas it'll sputter and die.
I just bought this vehicle a week ago and it was a rude shock to find this problem. I took it in to a mechanic and they were unable to duplicate the issue, as I didn't give them as much detailed information as I have here. I hadn't figured out what the common denominator was until a few days ago.
When I took it to the mechanic, they did find a coolant leak. They hooked up a pressure thingy to my radiator and found coolant leaking. They believe it's leaking from the intake manifold. They said to continue to drive it, but watch my fluid level. I've driven it for 4 days like this and have only had to add coolant twice. It's like it's not leaking now as the radiator is staying full.
I'm taking it back to the mechanic in a couple days.
Anyone have any suggestions as to what this problem might be? I don't know these engines that well as I've not had the vehicle long enough to learn it all yet.

Thanks in advance, sorry for the long post and I appreciate your time!