Dodgeman Help, What is wrong with my 1997 Ford Ranger 2.3L?

Question

Ok, here is the deal. I started having problems with my Ranger when my father and I did a tune-up on the truck. The engine has 8 plugs so I took the exhaust side, and my father took the intake side. My father thought that he would not be able to access the plug closest to the firewall so he started breaking the intake bolts free to take it off. Well after 1 or 2 bolts being broken free he found an extension that would allow him to access the plug afterall. So he just tightened the bolts, and we finished up. After we were done the truck started roughly and began to shake and studder if I was in a higher gear with low RPM's and pressed the gas. So if I am cruzing in fifth @ 2500 and pressed the gas it would shake and studder. The shaking and studdering gets worse when it is hot out. Now I have such trouble starting that I have had to replace the starter. Is this a simple vacum leak or what? PLEASE HELP DODGEMAN OR ANYONE ELSE THAT CAN HELP

Answer 1

sounds like you have a couple of plug wires crossed, check the firing order and make sure the wires are on the right plugs.

Answer 2

It's going to be one of two things, or a combination of both: Vacuum leak or crossed plug wires. You can't just break the intake manifold loose and expect the gasket to reseal. You need to remove the intake manifold, scrape off the old gasket material from both the head and the manifold, install a new gasket, and torque the bolts down properly. Then make sure all the spark plug wires are in the correct order. Look for any vacuum hoses you or dad may have knocked loose as well. The plugs on the intake side are hard to get to, but I never had to remove any bolts to get to them. I just used a collection of swivels and extensions on my socket wrench.

Answer 3

You may have put the wrong plug boots on the wrong plugs. Also, pop the hood one night when it's dark out and turn the engine on. Check for any arcs coming from the wires...they could be bad. Did you get the right plugs?

Worst case...head in here.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum35/

It's a Ford Truck website. That link will take you right into the Ranger Forum, but I think this problem is just in what you guys did recently.

Answer 4

One of your first two answers are likely right. Either you have a vacuum leak in the manifold that is not allowing your timing to advance/retard, or you have two plug wires crossed, and your firing order is off. Either is a simple fix. Get a Chilton's or Haynes manual for your truck. This will give you the proper firing order, as well as the procedure for replacing your intake manifold gasket.

Answer 5

I agree with the other answers except if you only took 2 intake bolts out the gasket is probably not leaking.If it does not backfire wiring is ok.Check for small vacuam line broken or un plugged.

Answer 6

Spark plug wires hooked up to the wrong spark plugs.
With the engine running, disconnect one wire at a time from the distributor cap. (Not at the spark plug)

If the engine runs worse, plug that one back in because its' hooked up to the right spark plug.

If you unplug one, and there is NO change that one is faulty.

Do this for each spark plug wire. I'll bet you'll find that two or four are hooked up backwards at the sparkplugs

Answer 7

the gap on the spark plugs might be wrong, or you might have accidentally closed one putting them in. if what these other guys said don't work take the plugs back out and check the gap.

Answer 8

well i 'd say you have an intakre gasket leak try spraying carb cleaner around the intake while it idles if it surges then its a leaking

Answer 9

all the mechanics that answer Your question are pretty much on the spot.

so I have nothing except this comment.follow thier instructions they are right.