not sure what to think....

[gottaba5spd]

hey guys i'm looking into buying a ranger/b2300 and i found a 96 b2300 that meets my checklist of what i want in a truck but the owner has in the ad that its got a timing related issue. when i asked him about it he said that a squirrel or something got up in the engine bay and chewed up the timing wires, and now the truck has trouble climbing hills. he said the compression is good and guess that worst case scenario it needs a new harness. i'm trying not to take on too much of a project but its in good enough shape where it might be worth it. i know the 2.3 is a pretty simple motor but i can't really think of much wiring that would affect the timing so much unless it was just set improperly. i know its not a lot of information to go off of, but has anybody else experienced anything like this or has any idea of what it could be?

 

[Mazda]

Post this over in the "GENERAL AREA" or the "4BANGERS AREA". You will get more help. The truck is a RANGER so you will be better off over there.

The only thing that I could help with is the wires to the cam sensor are bad but it's still getting some signal to start the truck. IS the CEL on.?

The 2.3 all have a problem getting up a hill especially with the A/C on. There is also a relay that cuts off the A/C when the truck is struggling. Depending on the hills or mountains in your area I would almost always shift down when climbing the hills.

 

[enjr44]

Like above and. Is it priced as a project truck? Do you want a project?

If none of above, keep looking. There area million Rangers out there. In my mind if it was a simple fix, the owner would have had it fixed (or fixed it). If you want a project good; but, pay a project price.

 

[gottaba5spd]

Post this over in the "GENERAL AREA" or the "4BANGERS AREA". You will get more help. The truck is a RANGER so you will be better off over there.

The only thing that I could help with is the wires to the cam sensor are bad but it's still getting some signal to start the truck. IS the CEL on.?

The 2.3 all have a problem getting up a hill especially with the A/C on. There is also a relay that cuts off the A/C when the truck is struggling. Depending on the hills or mountains in your area I would almost always shift down when climbing the hills.

Posted in the general area.

The owner didn't mention a cel, I would've gone to look at it but its a few hours away from me.

 

[gottaba5spd]

Like above and. Is it priced as a project truck? Do you want a project?

If none of above, keep looking. There area million Rangers out there. In my mind if it was a simple fix, the owner would have had it fixed (or fixed it). If you want a project good; but, pay a project price.

It's priced above what somebody would pay for a project but he's open to offers. I don't mind a project, and if its a simple fix I don't mind taking it on at project price like you said. Biggest reason I'm considering it is because the rest of it is in good shape, and if the timing issue is strictly wiring I can't imagine it'd be a hard fix since the 2.3 doesn't have any kind of variable cam or valve timing.