- Joined
- Mar 6, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 1
- City
- Franklin
- State - Country
- IN - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 2001
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 2WD
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
Struggling trying to get my 2001 2.3 L Ranger 2wd XLT going again after an engine rebuild. The truck was running fine before, just burning oil so we did a full engine rebuild and when reinstalling it I changed the fuel injectors, oxygen sensors, all of the hoses and belts and most other sensors. It started fine, but when I am accelerating hard it knocks - reminds me of pre-ignition spark knock like when ignition timing was off on cars back in the 70s. It gets worse as it heats up. With the hood open it sounds like it is resonating from the top of the intake runner manifold but it that might just be where it bounces off and sounds loudest.
A couple other odd things. When driving at a steady speed it sometimes feels like it is surging. I had driven it at low speeds below 50 on country roads up to the next interstate exchange and except for the rattle when accelerating, it semed ok. Then I got on the interstate and headed back to the shop and put the cruise on 70 mph and after a mile or so it started slowing down to 65, then 60 and wouldn't hold speed. Temps were fine, felt like it was fuel related - either starving or loading up. Took the cruise off and stayed around 60 for the next mile until the exit and it was ok. It never died though idle was erratic a few times.
I had changed the crank position sensor and thought maybe that was off a little and the computer trying to over correct and causing the spark knock sound. Double checked that and it was in the right position so not that.
So, wondering if any of this sounds familiar to anyone here. My gut says it is fuel or timing related and one of the new sensors is bad and the computer is confused and trying to compensate. Not sure is the MAF sensor might be a potential issue as it does control the mixture, or some other sensor.
Again, if you've ever run across a similar issue with knocking on accelerating like the engine was too lean and spark knocking and you found the cause, I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks !
A couple other odd things. When driving at a steady speed it sometimes feels like it is surging. I had driven it at low speeds below 50 on country roads up to the next interstate exchange and except for the rattle when accelerating, it semed ok. Then I got on the interstate and headed back to the shop and put the cruise on 70 mph and after a mile or so it started slowing down to 65, then 60 and wouldn't hold speed. Temps were fine, felt like it was fuel related - either starving or loading up. Took the cruise off and stayed around 60 for the next mile until the exit and it was ok. It never died though idle was erratic a few times.
I had changed the crank position sensor and thought maybe that was off a little and the computer trying to over correct and causing the spark knock sound. Double checked that and it was in the right position so not that.
So, wondering if any of this sounds familiar to anyone here. My gut says it is fuel or timing related and one of the new sensors is bad and the computer is confused and trying to compensate. Not sure is the MAF sensor might be a potential issue as it does control the mixture, or some other sensor.
Again, if you've ever run across a similar issue with knocking on accelerating like the engine was too lean and spark knocking and you found the cause, I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks !
