2.3L ('83-'97) Maintenance on a 2.3L ?

[Sylvain]

I just bought a 1995 ford ranger with a 2.3L and manual transmission with 139.000 miles. It seems to have been maintained very well but, anything I should know or pay attention to with this engine ?

 

[SenorNoob]

That's very low mileage for the year model. I'd be expecting dry totted rubber everywhere from sitting. Might want to take a particular peak at the timing belt. Everything else should be readily visible.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, they don't need anything too dumb other than a timing belt ever 60-80k recommended (I know it's 60k on a square tooth belt pre '92, don't remember the round tooth belt, it's not a super hard job...) but it's not an interference engine so not a huge deal just inconvenient if it breaks...

I got my '97 at 142k and in 5 years it's now at 223k and still going fine, I've done the timing belt twice for good measure and just did a water pump and thermostat housing trying to chase a heater issue that still isn't right...

 

[Sylvain]

Yeah, they don't need anything too dumb other than a timing belt ever 60-80k recommended (I know it's 60k on a square tooth belt pre '92, don't remember the round tooth belt, it's not a super hard job...) but it's not an interference engine so not a huge deal just inconvenient if it breaks...

I got my '97 at 142k and in 5 years it's now at 223k and still going fine, I've done the timing belt twice for good measure and just did a water pump and thermostat housing trying to chase a heater issue that still isn't right...

That is a good point, I will check the timing belt and see how it's looking, I may be due for a new one with that mileage.

 

[racsan]

the 2.3 lima is quite a reliable low-issue engine. Just change oil regularly & they just keep going, the worst I have to say about them is the heater output. The cooling system works a bit TOO well. My last 2.3 (‘94) I put pipe insulation on the heater hoses, blocked off half the radiator, removed fan from the fan clutch, new thermostat,new water pump, new heater core and it still took over 10 miles of driving at 20 degrees for it to feel warm in a regular cab. I put a 4.10 rear gear in mine for more towing ability, it still struggled but it is only 100ish hp and not much more than that on tourque. With 4.10’s it did about 21 mpg at best, 3.73’s will get you about 27 mpg on a good day. Mine came with 3.45’s but I pulled that axle before I even ran out its first full tank of gas. In theroy it “should” do 30 with 3.45’s but the rpm is so low in 5th you will be lugging it unless going downhill. Ive read from others with that gear and its like 4.10 mpgs with low power, the book even says with this engine/gear ratio “towing not recommended “. Yes, put a timing belt on for good measure, The best thing about this engine is that its one of the few ohc non-interference engines. I always put a new tensioner on too when doing a timing belt. One thing I have ran into with the dual-plug 2.3’s is head cracking at the valve seats. I believe its from thermal cycling over time, mine had 140k when it needed a head gasket, I had the head magnafluxed for cracks & most of the valve seats were cracked, a replacement from the junkyard was the same. Ordered a refurbished head from autozone & ran with it. Its now at 190K+ (new owner though, I sold it last feb) and its still going strong, at least as strong as a 2.3 with that milage can be. Id have another, Im just needing more towing power & breaking ability than that chassis has to offer. Heres a picture of the valve seats on the original & junkyard heads, plus a picture of the head gasket failure.