Truck shut off and won't start

[ozziemo27]

So I'm headin back home from college in my decrepit 84 ranger with the 2.3 trying to hobble past 280,000, lol, and the sucker took a shit on me. I was accelerating pretty good away from a stop sign and right after 4th gear i believe (4-speed) the truck just shut off. Not thinking much of it, i just tried to restart it.. it cranked and cranked and nothing. so i coasted into a car wash a mile away from home and kept trying.. nothing. Note: It sounds really different cranking now... Almost smoother, like its not fully pulling the weight of the engine... its weird. This just happened a few hours ago and i just parked it and am gonna drive my brothers car tommorow so i havent troubleshooted anything... its really weird how it sounds different like it does... Anybody got any ideas?

 

[scotts90ranger]

that would be because the cam isn't turning, your timing belt broke, replace it and you are good to go...

 

[ozziemo27]

Timing belt isn't broke, it just doesnt have tension on it, therefore my tensioner is shot or the bolts are loose or something.

 

[Mark_88]

That's easy enough to fix...usually...as long as the bolt hole for the tensioner is not chewed out you can just replace the tensioner...the junkyards usually let you walk out with stuff like that free...but give them a deuce or a fin for it and you'd both be happy...

 

[scotts90ranger]

yeah, I'd still replace the belt while you are there...

 

[ozziemo27]

yea, the belt is a bit chewed im sure from cranking it and it just rubbing the belt slightly, how does the tensioner work on this engine?, i see it but it just looks like its just bolted in there.. is there a spring or something that might have broke? I figure my timing is screwed now...

 

[Mark_88]

The belt tensioner simply moves against the timing belt just under the cam to keep the belt, as you might have guessed, tense.

There is a main bolt that holds the tensioner in place, and one that allows you to adjust the tension (or add/remove the belt as needed)...you may have simply lost the bottom bolt that holds the tensioner in the position you want...and if you see there is no bolt in the bottom hole (there is a slider hole cut in the tensioner that allows adjustment, and there should be a bolt in that hole...and it should be tight) then that is all that needs addressing...

If, however, your tensioner is otherwise sloppy or there tensioner wheel does not turn freely (this should spin REALLY easily when the belt is off) then replace the tensioner...

Just remember that when you apply tension to the belt, it should NOT be forced...the spring action in the tensioner is all the force you really need to keep the timing belt in place...too much tension causes premature ejaculation and wear of the belt...

 

[ozziemo27]

too much tension causes premature ejaculation and wear of the belt...

LOL, uhh, ok! i'll get right on that, chief