i'v got an 1987 ranger with a 2.3 and 177,000 miles on it. the problem is: it always blows white smoke when it's under like 70 degrees, and when it's cold and i go to start it sometimes it will shudder and die within 1-2 seconds then i can get it to fire up right after that. also when i'm lead footed for a while then go back to normal driving it really boggs down. could this just be means for a tune up or something more serious? one last thing, how fast do oil pumps go out? cause when i go up steep hills there is a clicking noise, but my oil is full. somebody said that it could just be going bad.

 

i have no idea...........

welcome to the site.....Introduce Yourself

 

I have problems w/ minors all the time! Farkin' kids..

 

did you keep regular maintenace on the truck or jsut beat it to hell?

 

Does the 87 have Fuel Injection?? If its carberauted you might need to rebuild the carb. My dad had an 87 Mazda(i know the ranger and bseries were not the same then) that had an electronically controlled carburauter.

Are you burning any oil?? You should check the level before your next change to see how low it is.

 

I would check the radiator fluid and then your head gaskets.....

 

i'v got the truck 7 months ago and kinda beat it to hell. i'v done oil changes every 3,000 mies. it's fuel injected. i think the timing is off so if i can i'm checking it tonight.

 

somebody told me it sounded like a sensor of some sort was bad. it runs rough sometimes and lags alot. i just replaced the distrubitor cap and rotor along with the coil wire.

 

sounds like it might be a blown head gasket... i wouldnt drive it till you get it checked out

 

how could a head gasket only affect performace part of the time. and why only when it's cold or i'v been hot rodding.

 

somebody also said it is my throttle position sensor, that makes sense because my gas milage is getting worse so that means when it's lagging i'm getting too much fuel in the engine right?