2.3L ('83-'97) Which 4-cylinder was most reliable?

[fred024]

I am looking to buy a 4-cylinder, 2WD, manual Ranger 93-11. If my primary concern is reliability/serviceability and I do not care about performance or gas mileage, does one of these engines stand out? Or are they all similar in that regard? I would prefer to buy the newer Duratec years unless it was problematic. Thanks for any ideas.

Pinto LL23 I4 140 cu in (2.3 L) SOHC 1993-1997

Pinto LL25 I4 153 cu in (2.5 L) SOHC 1998-early 2001

Duratec I4 (Mazda L3-NS) 138 cu in (2.3 L) DOHC 16V Late 2001-2011

 

[superj]

The two pinto 4 cylinders were super in the mazdas and rangers we used as company trucks for my dad's plumbing company, the 2.3 and 2.5

 

[SenorNoob]

If serviceability is the primary concern, prior to OBD2 there were significantly fewer wires/electronics in the trucks. Most of those trucks are gonna be in worse shape now just from age though.

 

[scotts90ranger]

If serviceability is the primary concern, prior to OBD2 there were significantly fewer wires/electronics in the trucks. Most of those trucks are gonna be in worse shape now just from age though.

I think it's about a wash in those year ranges... pre OBD II is harder to diagnose and the engines have all the same components... I opted for a OBD II 2.3L because I wanted the simpler front suspension and it's what I found. I don't think reliability assuming maintenance has been kept up is going to be vastly different between the Lima versus the Duratec... The duratec will get more power and mileage too...

 

[pjtoledo]

Duratec.

 

[19Walt93]

The "Pinto" engine was actually a Lima and it was used in a ton of models. The early ones with 2 piece rear main seals were prone to oil leaks and the 74-76 engines with no squirt holes in the rods often developed piston slap. By the time Rangers came out the 2.3 was a solid, dependable engine. The Duratec engine gave us few problems. I'd say the engine that's had the best maintenance would be the one to buy.

 

[2011Supercab]

Didn't the early Duratec 2.3 have that variable length intake manifold?

I'd stay away from those.