What is this? Looks like a plug is supposed to be in it, but I can't find anything? :S





Engine is of an 89 ranger if that helps. :s

I'm lost. xD

 

Also, can anyone tell me any ways to make an engine run a bit smoother? Sounds like she's mis-firing a bit. New spark plugs, from what I can see the plug wires are alright. Anything else? Also, while I drive there seems to be a small whine, not sure if that's normal with the engine. (It goes up with the RPMs and back down, etc).

I'm thinking it's just the belts or something? :s

Sorry, new to the whole mechanical stuff. xD

 

Bump, anyone?

 

It's hard to tell from the pictures. If it's in the engine block, it could be a block heater for cold weather. If it's in the oil pan, it might be the Low Oil Level sender.

 

Looks exactly like my block heater.

 

Maybe that is what it is. What are the effects of it having no plug in there? Just trouble starting, engine not heating up? :s

My temperature guage is almost always buried in the cold now. :S What could be causing this? Also, again. I feel like the engine is almost squeeling a bit to me. Like you're driving a gocart, also it's kind of like the sound of a car backing up you hear that little squeel/wahhheeeerrrr. It goes up with the RPMs. Is that normal, something I should be concerned about or what?

Also the engine isn't running smoothly. Sounds like it's missing. What can I do to remove this? I hate the engine not running smoothly, feels like power is being lost because of it.

Anyone have any kind of modifications/fixes they can recommend to improve quality of ride, and power? She's just lacking at the moment and I'd like to restore her back to where she was.

ONE MORE THING! How difficult is it replacing the shocks? I've got a pair of Napa Shocks that look like they'd fix on my front end of the truck. Originally were bought for a Ford Taurus, the shocks (box) says nothing on it really, is just blue. Not sure if it's safe to put them on, etc.

 

if it is a block heater you shouldn't have any trouble from the plug not being there as long as its not 10 below where you live.

you may need to change your spark plugs and wires to get your truck to run better.

 

Well, where I live winter is coming and it gets fairly cold. I mean, like -15 to -25C and possibly colder during the nights. Where does the plug come from? Like does it come from battery to block heater? From somewhere in the engine? That way maybe I can find it or something. :s She runs really rough until she heats up.

Just replaced the spark plugs, wires might need replacing. 50$ for them, ughh. :P

 

Well the block heater will usually have a cord that runs from what you see there, to the house. IE it will have an electrical plug that you plug into the wall outside the house and it heats the block so as that your motor is warm*ish when you got to start it at 7 in the morning at minus 25 C. As for the rough idle issue, if you punch it, does it take a second to catch? If so it could be a vaccuum leak somewhere.

 

[QUOTE] My temperature guage is almost always buried in the cold now. :S What could be causing this?[QUOTE]

If the plug is for a block heater, you would only use it during the very cold evenings to keep the engine warm. It makes starting easier and warm-up quicker in the morning.
If the engine isn't warming up and running bad, it could be the thermostat. The noise you describe as a squeel isn't normal. I would check the accessories belt, alternator, water pump and belt tensioner. One of these could make noises like yours.
Don't mess around with the shocks unless they are the right ones for your truck. Compare part numbers.
...Terry

 

Thanks for the info everyone.

@ c_root: When it's cold it delays, almost like when you're just starting up a weed-wacker engine before the choke is done, etc. You give it gas, it doesn't respond but instead dies. That is until the truck warms up, and then she's fine.

It's hardly a squeel though, kind of like a whine that goes up and down with the engine's RPMs. I'll look around, again I'm new to this stuff so I'm a bit over my head.

@ Overkill-F1: Thanks! I'll do my best to look around and hopefully figure it out.