wh knows whats wrong

[cntryboytim]

Truck Info: 1999 Ranger 2.3L standard. bone stock. about 215,000 miles

Problem:
about a month ago t threw up a code for the o2 sensor in bank 2. two weeks went by and the light went off for 2 days. i went to check it again and the o2 sensor is not stored and now its throwing a code for the cam shaft position sensor. every so often the light will go off and after a few hours or day it will come back on. now one of the studts for the exaust manifold to cat flange is broke off has been since i bought the truck 5 years ago. i look down at the flange through the engine compartment yesterday and see that the gap between the two flanges has grown to about 1" to 1.5" i suspect the bottom bolt has now broke but havent got on the ground under it for further inspection. coud this be causing it to thorw me all these diffrent codes. and if so what is the easiest way to fix it. hopefully without removing the manifold. i was told just burn a hole through with with a torch then nut and bolt but not shure i want to go that route. thanks for the help.

Tim

 

[cntryboytim]

sorry its the 2.5 not 2.3 also i was looking for the cam shaft position sensor and could not find its location?? is it under the timing belt cover? could it be the computer going out? also i looked at the exaust flanges it is still the same i just had for got about the gap between the two flanges for the seal.

 

[cntryboytim]

ok so i checked the codes again today and now it says both 02 sensor and cam shaft position sensor. maby i just need to change out all three.

 

[cntryboytim]

replaced the cam shaft postion sensor and after a few days all codes cleard. i guess the cam sensor was causing a bad fuel to air mixture which made the 02 sensor code pop up.