Should i check these parts on my 02 ranger

[Gary DuBois]

I could check my spark plugs, air filter, serpentine belt.

Or should i have my mechanic check all the parts under my hood.

Im going to recharge my a/c today with a r134a recharge kit and that will be my first repair i have done under the hood of my ranger.

 

[sgtsandman]

The air filter is pretty straight forward. I see no reason you can't check that. The serpentine belt isn't hard either. If there are cracks showing in the ribs of the belt, it's time to change it.

The spark plugs are going to depend on how comfortable you are doing your own work. They aren't hard but the passenger side ones can be a bit of a challenge to the inexperienced. The easiest way to get at them is through the passenger side wheel well, with the tire off and the truck on a jack stand. The driver's side is relatively easy to get to from the engine bay. Be careful though, it's easy to get the socket off alignment with the spark plug and crack the porcelain. Once that happens, you are replacing the spark plug, whether it needs it or not.

 

[97RangerXLT]

check the belt. if it is over 4 years old, replace it. air filter probably needs replaced as well if you havcen't done it in a while depending on how dusty it is where you live. air filter is cheap and easy too. Spark plugs should be good for 100k miles, so if you are close to that, go for it, otherwise I would leave the plugs be until you hit that milestone.

AJ