Truck won't start question

poppy · #1 08/22/12, 11:50 AM

I have a 1998 ford ranger 4cyl. that died on the way home yesterday. I pulled it home and have been trying to figure out what is wrong. It turns over fine. Thought maybe the fuel pump quit but it won't fire when I spray starting fluid into the throttle body, so it must not be firing. I'm not much on modern electrical systems. Any ideas?

How Do I · #2 08/22/12, 12:30 PM

Have you checked for spark at the plugs?

ninny · #3 08/22/12, 01:35 PM

Timing chain?

.

agmantoo · #4 08/22/12, 01:38 PM

poppy

If you have spark try this.

Look for the fuel rail and the mounted schrader valve that has a black screw on cap. Remove the cap and use the back side of a small drill bit and push the valve core in and let the gas escape (catch the gas in a rag). Give the fumes a few minutes to evaporate and turn the key on and listen for the relay to kick in and the fuel pump to run. Do this a couple of times, put the key in off position, then again vent the schrader valve with the drill bit and observe if a good amount of gas exits. If it does the fuel pump is OK. Report your findings here.

poppy · #5 08/22/12, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny

Timing chain?

.

BINGO. The darn timing belt broke. Now I just hope it didn't do any damage.

BjnMe98 · #6 08/22/12, 09:11 PM

That engine is a non interference engine, just line up the marks and put the new belt on.

poppy · #7 08/22/12, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BjnMe98

That engine is a non interference engine, just line up the marks and put the new belt on.

Thank you. That is a relief. I didn't know there was such a thing.

OkieDavid · #8 08/22/12, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BjnMe98

That engine is a non interference engine, just line up the marks and put the new belt on.

Explains why you don't hear a valve go through a piston when it let go.... Handy engineering the timing "belt" engines that way.

frankva · #9 08/23/12, 05:57 AM

One of Ford's better ideas.

agmantoo · #10 08/23/12, 08:21 AM

Don't you think it would be best to verify that both valves are closed on the #1 cylinder and then align the marks and install the new belt?

haypoint · #11 08/23/12, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmantoo

Don't you think it would be best to verify that both valves are closed on the #1 cylinder and then align the marks and install the new belt?

Ah, yes. Easy to get an engine's timing off by 180 degrees.