Hey everyone, just picked up my first ranger yesterday. Its a 2000 XLT short bed with the 2.5l and 5 speed manual with 133k miles. So i knew there were problems with the truck before i bought it but for the price i couldn't resist. So the problem is, it has a misfire on cylinder 2 from what the previous owner told me. On start up it seems to run normal for about 45 seconds and then the idle gets worse and it runs really rough. After you let it warm up it idles at maybe 400 RPM and sounds like its going to stall. Going over it real quick i pulled the plug wires off the coil one by one while it was running and each coil is putting out spark so i don't think its a coil problem. I haven't been able to pull the plugs though but the previous owner told me he pulled all 8 plugs and they all looked normal except for cylinder 2. He said it was was covered in oil.. My next step tomorrow is going to be pulling the plugs and then running a compression test. I just wanted to hear from some more experienced ranger owners to see if there's anything else that could be causing the issue. I also have a 91 Mustang with the 2.3 engine which almost looks identical and it seems to be a reliable engine so i'm just curious what issues these engines have had in the rangers. I'll also post a video of the engine running so you can hear whats going on.

 

You are on the right track with the compression test.

Yet your engine sounds really bad, like it may have a bad connecting rod bearing. ( but what I could be hearing over my computer may be different than what you hear in person )

Make sure to double check the firing order on both sides of the engine.

The PO could have cross wired the engine on one side.

I would add a oil pressure test with a mechanical gauge to the to do list.

How does the oil or crank case smell?

What does the engine coolant look like?

Is there any smoke coming from the exhaust?

These motors are reliable but they do not tolerate poor maintenance or overheating very well.

 

Well i went out today to pull the plugs and do a compression test and when i went to pull the intake tube off there was oil in the throttle body.. Not just a little ALOT. So i'm guessing the engine is probably shot. I couldnt get the compression tester fitting to thread in to the spark plug hole so i wasnt able to run the test. I guess i'll start searching for a new motor.

 

I found someone local with a 2.3l engine out of a 96 ranger. If i swap over my intake and use the 2.5l header will that engine work?

 

Ran the compression test..
Cyl 1 125psi
Cyl 2 65psi
Cyl 3 90psi
Cyl 4 125psi

 

I am not sure if that engine you found will work or not.

 

I normally like to gather more information before I commit to replacing a engine.

Sounds like you have a cracked head or blown head gasket, the engine may be worth saving.

 

I should also add that it had a crazy Amount of blow by. I pulled the oil cap off and it smoked like a old school steam engine chugging down the tracks. I was curious if it might be a head gasket but I've never heard of a head gasket pressurizing the oiling system. The coolant is clean no traces of oil an the oil has no traces of coolant either.

 

A head gasket could easily blow at a section that separates compression from the crank case.

But its your truck, you know your engine better than any of us.

If you think its time for a new engine and you do not feel like checking any further into it why should i.

let us know how your new to you engine works out.

 

Id' say it's worth pulling the head to look at the gasket, did you get any further on this?