Hey guys, not much on fords, trying to help Fiancées Dad.
Info: 85 ranger 2.3 L gas.
Problem: Engine running and shut off as if you turned off ignition switch. Tried to restart but wouldn't.
Diagnostics: yellow spark from plugs. fuel coated spark plugs when pulled. suction on exhaust (dollar test - while turning engine over it sucked dollar bill into exhaust pipe instead of blowing it out and away)
Repairs so far: Coil, motorcraft Plugs, Ignition control module, fuel pump relay
So heres where I am now. spark is now blue since coil and ICM were replaced. after replacing plugs it almost started for a brief second but then went back to just turning over. Noticed fuel smell in engine compartment around intake manifold. positive vacuum on hose going to back side of butterfly valve. (thought maybe no air flow). Only other things I can think of is EGR valve, CKP sensor, distributor issue, but none of those would explain heavy fuel smell...or would they??? vacuum lines appear to be intact and non-corroded. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Timing belt may be stretched or dried out ,and has jumped a tooth or three.

 

Like OTR said sounds like a timing issue pull the cover and see if everything is still inline.

 

Thanks guys, I do know that the timing belt was replaced approximately 6 months ago. I checked timing with timing gun, unfortunately the timing mark on the crank shaft pully is basically gone so cant really tell if it is in time. Will work on finding the mark on pulley and painting white for easier identifying while checking timing. Is there any chance that the ECU could have gone bad??? I have also checked fuses to see if there were any ECU fuses or the like. I know on Chevy's they have 2 fuses that can cause this same problem if blown.

 

also the timing cover was removed and the belt looks in good shape. not shiny on back of belt, teeth on belt look good, no dry rotting noticeable on either side of belt, no fraying on edges either.

 

try running a compreshen test to see if the rings are washed out from excesive gas. you can build up the compreshen by pulling the plugs and putting a little bit of oil into the plug hole then crank the eng. over with your thumb over the plug hole. if the rings are worn out then this will only be a temperary fix to build compreshen. also for safety you should pull the relay for the fuel pump and pull the coil power wire. rember to ware gloves and safety glasses you do not want to get the oil pumped into your skin.