Oook ... My '05 2.3l is giving me two codes on the engine light. PO 316 and P0 301. Light was flashing the other day too. Idles fine but seems to be misfiring like crazy. Start with plugs & wires / distributor perhaps? Runs like ***. I've had a o/d problem too. Forget what those codes were. Sure it can't help. Engine light just kicked on though. Looking for any possible tips ... Thanks

 

You should post code definitions with the codes, since you already looked them up

P0301-misfire #1 cylinder
P0316-random misfires on startup

Yes, first thing to do would be to pull the spark plugs, check #1 to see what the tip tells you about condition in cylinder, Google: spark plug tip colors
Also tips of the other 3 cylinder plugs
Spark plug gap should be 0.050, 0.045 to 0.055, there were some gapped at 0.060(some emission stickers even had this on it), these would wear out fairly fast and cause misfires

You have a 2.3l Duratec engine, it is a Mazda L engine, no relation to the older 2.3l Lima engines used in Rangers, so don't google 2.3l Ranger, or you will get mixed info

Yours has an Aluminum head so be careful removing and installing spark plugs, very easy to cross thread the head, the steel spark plug threads are much harder metal than the aluminum so start threading it by hand, use no wrench until you are sure it is threading in normally


Clean MAF sensor every 2 years
PCV valve is supposed to be changed every year, but hard to get at, so every 2 -3 years.

Vacuum leak can cause these codes, but check spark plugs first

 

My bad! Man, I just learned a bunch. I thank you!

 

I have the same issue, did you get this resolved?

 

Im looking to replace my tranny this spring. Just seems to lose 0/d quicker and quicker as time goes by ... pain in the *** ...

 

Oops, sorry for not specifying. I meant to ask, did you ever get the misifring codes taken care of? Thats also the issue I'm having.

 

nope ...