Hello all, my name is Wendy. I am new to the forum as a member but have referred to it many times.
I need some advice. I have a 1990 Ford Ranger xl, 2.9 6cl manual. Just recently had a new water pump put in then did a general tune up-oil,plugs,air filter. Now it is having trouble starting. It cranks over but no start until the 3rd try. Battery, cables fine and it's charging well. Rechecked plug gaps and their fine. Mechanic claims compression. I heard possible air to gas ratio. What should I check next. Oh seems like it leaks more oil now as well. Thanks W

 

Welcome to the forum Wendy

You could be losing fuel pressure when truck is off, 1997 and older Rangers needed 35psi fuel pressure to start/run, and fuel system will hold that pressure for months when engine is off.
For safety reasons the fuel pump only runs for 2 seconds when key is turned on, it won't run again until engine starts, RPMs above 400
So if fuel pressure has dropped to 0psi then 2 seconds won't build up enough pressure to start engine.

So try this
Turn key on, count to 3, and turn key off
Repeat this 3 times, so you are running fuel pump for 6 to 8 seconds
That should build up fuel pressure if it was leaking away
Then try to start engine

If that works, and you don't "smell" gasoline from a leaking fuel line, then you could have leaking Fuel pressure regulator(FPR), leaking fuel injector, or a bad check valve in the fuel pump.
These 3 things hold the fuel pressure in the system when engine is off.

You could also do a 50/50 test
Pull off the large air tube on the upper intake, open throttle and spray gasoline or Quick Start(ether) into the engine.
Now try to start engine
If it starts right up then Fuel/fuel pressure is the problem
If it still doesn't start then Spark is the problem


Compression is important as it is needed to heat up the gasoline so a spark can ignite it.
Especially on a cold day, liquid gas won't ignite only gas fumes/vapor will.
But lower compression would also be felt as lower power when driving, which you would notice and don't mention