Ok new problem now i have a dead cylinder in #6 other than that it prrs like a kitten. A kitten with a steady miss that is. So far switched plugs with a good cylinder and wire from plug arcs pretty good off the manifold so its got spark. Leaves valves, cam lobes, and injector. Did a compression test 125 lbs. Stumped here please help or point me in the right direction for a step by step and eliminated or narrow it down to something. BTW new head gaskets last week and torqued to specs in sequence in case anyone was wondering. thanks

 

First confirm spark plug wiring on coil, I mess this up all the time and swear it's right.
4 6 5 Front <<<<(this is were I goof)
3 2 1 Front

On the coil pack switch #6 and #2, they are on the same coil so fire at the same time, but they are in Series electrically so one port can work and the other not work.

Make sure spark plug hole in #6 is clean, not too much oil, spark plug needs a good ground.

Then try this
Cold engine
Unplug coil connector, we want a no start
Crank engine like you would normally, 5 seconds should do it

Pull #6 spark plug, it should be wet with fuel
If not pull #5 and check it, if it is wet with fuel then yes #6 injector is blocked or not working, make sure connector is tight.

If #6 has fuel then..............mechanical issue, 125psi was probably OK if all the other spark plugs were in, crank was turning slowly
With all spark plugs out I would expect 160psi in each cylinder

 

Ok want to confirm my diagnosis. This is rumor control and these are the facts. Pulled off upper intake pulled valve cover over #6 cylinder, unbolted exhaust and intake rockers on 6,hooked air line to spark plug hole 5 psi and hissing alote from exhaust even audible at tail pipe. Then i lit up a cigar blew into air line. Alote of smoke came out egr tube some came out intake. All this done on #6. My conclusion, head over 4,5, and 6 need to be pulled and burned exhast as well as intake need to be repaired/replaced. Could the leaking coolant into 6 damaged /quenched valve thereby damaging it? I would really like to know. Thank you to all. Looks like a set of head bolts along with a head gasket and intake gasket set are in my future.

 

3.0l had a problem with exhaust valve seats, common issue with '99-'03 and eventually had a TSB about it but it only included 2004-2006 years

TSB 05-26-3
FORD: 2004-2006 Ranger
ISSUE
Some 2004-2006 Rangers 3.0L-2V "Vulcan"vehicles may exhibit:
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300-P0306 and P0316
- Rough running at various RPM
- Rough idle
- Misfire
ACTION
This may be due to an engine exhaust valve seat recession causing a loss of compression. Refer to the following Service Procedure to diagnose exhaust valve seat recession.



The reason I mention it is that if you get the #6 head off and that looks like the issue then I would also do the other head as well, so not one bad seat or valve or hot spot that caused the one failure, all would have that same seat flaw.

 

Kyle's 98 Ranger was having the same issues as you but with a 4.0L. We pulled the drivers side head and #6 was missing the intake and exhaust valve seats and #5 was missing the exhaust valve seat. He as well had 125 psi on compression test.

 

Missing valve seat? well i pulled em and the seats are there, #6 exhaust is pitted around the rim and intake is not much better along with #5 exhaust. thought about lapping them. Any thoughts?

 

Was the engine ever pinging since you have had it?

Could be fuel injectors or rail pressure was causing a lean mix in those cylinders

 

Ok biting the bullet here taking the heads in monday to have them done. Im tired of it all and frustrated. And has in the past.

 

Check with machine shop to see if they can ID what caused the problem, or you may have to do this again in a few years.

Outside of the design flaw causing the recessed valve seats, valves and valve seats don't just burn or pit, there has to be a "cause" for this "effect".

And for you to see it in two cylinders it wasn't just a "bad part" from the factory, there is an underlying issue that effected at least two cylinders.

Is it the original 3.0l in the truck now?
Some 3.0ls are replaced with 3.0l from a Taurus, these have different head gaskets because coolant exits from the rear of the engine, most recommend changing to Ranger head gaskets but people often don't, and most report no over heating issues, but there could be a fine line in the circulation of coolant that could allow rear cylinders to run slightly hotter.

 

I went to jy and pulled a 01 taurus head will this work? Yes it is as far as I can tell original. The head I pulled was rebuilt of that I have no doubt. Lately I have been getting real lucky with cars having new or reman parts in them.

 

3.0l heads had changes over the years but are the same as far as coolant passages, the head gasket holes are what direct the circulation flow.
'99 and '01 should be the same, only difference at that time was Flex Fuel or Gas only heads they have a different chamber shape.
If yours is gas only then you can use either chamber, if Flex fuel you should use the larger chamber head, this allows for the slower burning ethanol blends.

Good read here on 3.0l parts: Ford Ranger II 3.0 liter Engines

 

Problem. Truck has flex fuel badging and vin coded for flex but heres the kicker the heads are F6DE-GA! Now my question is wether the engine was replaced or the heads were. Now Im at a total loss. I have been burning ethanol in it, IE E85, so what the f? Ethanol is supposed to be EB!!

 

Yes that is odd, they started using the EB heads in '96 for Flex Fuel so it's not like the '99 would show up as an in between model year for heads.

8mm or 7mm valves were switching in '99 so that could be either.

Check the ribs on the block to see if it looks right for the '99 year and also that the head bolt threads are recessed in the block that was a change in '99

 

here is the vin 1FTYR14V6XPB18530 truck was bought from dealer in 02 by my sister she hasnt done ANYTHING TO THE ENGINE.

 

Methanol!!!! not ethanol

 

Methanol?

Lolwhat

 

ethanol engines use the same heads as gasoline engines methanol engines use the methanol heads