Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum and unfortunately I have run into an issue on my Ford Ranger! It's a 1991 2.3l 4x2, and I recently did a head gasket and valve cover gasket replacement. It was all going well until the engine was all back together and I went to start up the truck. It turned over for about 5 seconds, and then the timing belt slipped off the camshaft! I was wondering, would I need to get the engine re-timed, or could I just slip the belt back on and tighten up the tensioner? I'd really like to just slip the belt back on, but I wouldn't want to do that if the timing was off. How should I proceed?

Thanks!

Tim

 

Line the timing marks up per the manual for your engine. Since the belt slipped, everything is out of sync. I don't know anything about your particular engine, but some engines are "interference" engines and when out of time; they bend valves and bust holes in pistons.

 

The 2.3 is not a interferance engine that I know of.

But like mhoward mentioned you will need to line up the timing marks.

I would also want to know why the belt came off in the first place.

My guess is the slack was not removed on the non tensioner side of the timing belt before the tensioner was set.

Whenever doing a timing belt or chain you need to rotate the engine over by hand in the normal rotaton of the engine once or twice to insure the timing marks line up correctley after rotating the engine.

By rotating the engine and rechecking the marks you will know for sure the belt tension is proper and the engine is infact timed.

Good luck with the repair.

 

Yes, +1, 2.3l Lima engine is not an interference engine, so valves and pistons can not touch at any time.

On the crank gear there is a large "washer" that goes on after the gear, it is the belt guide, it keeps belt from "walking off" of the gear as it rotates
People often forget to put this back on

 

i believe the timing has been resolved. Now we have a new problem...the engine cranks up, and all the spark plugs have been replaced. The engine will not fire, though. It pops occasionally. This is driving me nuts! Has anyone else had an engine that won’t fire and pops while cranking? Strong smell of gas after it cranks, too.

Thanks!

 

That sounds like it is out of time (180 off?)

 

Check compression to confirm 180 out.
If there are any idler pulleys on the timing belt, check those as well.
Worn bearing that have enough side ways play in them can allow the belt to work its way off.
Assuming it has idler bearings.

 

CKP(crank shaft position) sensor
It is on the crank, of course, it is where you were working when replacing timing belt

CKP sensors is the "big kahuna" of sensors, pretty much the only sensor that can cause a no start if it isn't working.
The ICM(spark module) is connected directly to CKP sensor, if ICM doesn't get a good signal from CKP then no spark, and no fuel either because ICM sends CKP signal to computer for fuel injector timing.

First step is to see if No Spark is the issue
Spray gasoline or Quick Start(ether) into the intake and try to start engine
If it starts then you have spark, but no fuel from injectors
If it doesn't start you have No Spark(or no compression)
50/50 test

 

all right, here’s the current status: the spark is not the issue, engine is getting spark and it’s got new plugs. I’ve set the crank to top dead center on cylinder 1, as well as setting the oil pump top dead center. Is there any way to know how to set the camshaft top dead center with the valves closed, or is it just set it TDC and hope it’s right? I suppose my real question is, what is the best way to set the cam top dead center?

 

There are 2 timing marks on the front engine cover, one for CAM and one for AUX(oil pump)
Triangle is for CAM gear, at about 4 or 5 o'clock position on front cover
Diamond is for AUX gear, its mark is at 12:00 position

Since CAM and AUX gears are the same size they are often interchangeable so have BOTH Triangle and Diamond marks on the gears, you have to MATCH the Marks
Triangle/Triangle CAM
Diamond/Diamond AUX

Crank gear has a mark but most just use key way since it is easy to see
Key slot is at 12:00, but that is if engine itself is at 12:00 which it isn't, engine is tilted slightly, so crank key slot should be at 12:00 to the ENGINE not the universe in general, lol.

Drawing here for the 2.3l Lima engine and timing belt marks: https://motogurumag.com/i/ford-23l-l...er-khFEoXi.png
It shows CAM and AUX gears having BOTH Marks

 

i think I understand, although I don’t see the triangle/diamond markings. The gears both have a triangle pointing the other direction- https://imgur.com/aGCUwj3

is this another way to tell? Or is there another marking I am missing...

 

No, that is not a mark.
Marks will be on the metal ring behind the gear

This picture shows the Cam and Aux keyways pointing at 6:00 when timing is correct: http://i.fixya.net/uploads/images/5f171ff.gif

Not sure if that is true, never did it using key ways for cam and aux

Search the metal ring, timing marks should be there

 

Are the key ways underneath the bolt holding them onto the head? The oil pump doesn’t even have a metal backing surrounding the gearing, and after I cleaned the cam gear with acid and a wire brush, I still can’t find any timing marks...I think the keyways might be my only hope. Under the bolt? Luckily the crank has obvious markings but the other ones not so much...

worst case, what do you think a shop would charge to get this timed properly?

 

Yes, take the bolt off and you will see the keyway

Once belt is on turn engine using crank bolt
#4 intake valve should start to open, #4 just finished exhaust stroke
Continue turning crank and when crank timing mark has just passed 6:00 #1 exhaust valve should start to open
When crank mark is back to TDC #1 exhaust valve should be closed and if you turn a little more #1 intake valve should start to open