Question, my Ranger started missing at certain rpm's but when codes were ran it showed no potential causes. I changed the plugs and wires because they needed it anyway and it made the truck run much better in the good rpm range, but still had the miss and stumbling when starting or under load. I hate to say I didn't have the time to work on it myself and took it to the dealer.

They've had it a week and after their first call to Ford engineering were told to change the MAF. It helped some they said, but still misses. After more trouble shooting and finding nothing the engineers told them to open up the front of the engine and check the physical timing and they said it would take 9 hours labor and $1,200 bucks.

Does that sound reasonable? And if the problem isn't fixed, then what? Suggestions?

 

Is it misfiring in 3 cylinders total or just cylinder 3?

 

You mention cylinder #3. Is that by the firing order or by its physical placement from front to back?

The 2.3l has a problem with oil leaking around its intake manifold gasket that collects in the spark plug holes and can work its way into the cylinder as well.. On my B2300, it was on cylinder #3 using Front to Back as the reference.

I would assume that Ford would have made note of spark plug fouling (at a minimum on the outside of the ceramic housing) if yours were leaking.

An engine always needs air, spark, fuel in order to operate correctly. Given that you have pointed it to a particular cylinder, it must be either spark or fuel.

You've replaced plugs and wires, and I assume installed them correctly, therefore, you MUST have a fuel related issue on that cylinder which leads one to suspect the injector.

 

ive had missfire issues and its always been the coil pack, im on number 3, $150 is cheaper than 1200,

 

Three were misfiring. Ford engineering finally told them to check the timing chain and the base engine timing was off. It runs well again after they replaced the timing chain and tensioner.

 

And I had a similar problem a bit over a year ago and while a code suggested the crankshaft position sensor was the culprit my buddy found a lead wasn't getting a spark so I replaced the coil pack instead and it fixed the problem. Ran great for over a year when I had the same symptoms. Hoping the fix lasts longer this time!