Hard to start / engine rotates but wont start

Timing and/or compression is off .

Run basic troubleshooting. Spark at plugs? Correct fuel pressure? Compression test. Timing belt broken? Any codes set?

I need some clarification. Did you replace the belt because it broke? If so you may need to replace the head. The problem is if the belt breaks when your moving it usually damages the head and thus needs to be replaced.

Did you check the timing belt to see if it broke? It ha a 2.5 and it has belt. Remove timing cover at the front of the engine and have someone crank it while you watch the cam to see if it turns. If it doesn't turn, replace the belt.

The IGNITION timing on your Ranger is computer-controlled and is not adjustable.


Should the camshaft drive belt/timing belt jump timing by a tooth or two, the engine could still run; but very poorly. To visually check for correct timing of the crankshaft, auxiliary shaft, and the camshaft follow this procedure:
There is an access plug provided in the cam drive belt cover so that the camshaft timing cam be checked without moving the drive belt cover.

1. Remove the access plug.
2. Turn the crankshaft until the timing marks on the crankshaft indicate TDC.
3. Make sure that the timing mark on the camshaft drive sprocket is aligned with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

Never turn the crankshaft of any of the overhead cam engines in the opposite direction of normal rotation. Backward rotation of the crankshaft may cause the timing belt to slip and alter the timing.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figures 1, 2 and 3

Fig. Fig. 1: Timing belt cover on the 2.3L and 2.5L engine

Fig. Fig. 2: Timing belt assembly on the 2.3L and 2.5L engine

Fig. Fig. 3: Releasing the timing belt tensioner using a special tool

1. Rotate the engine so that No. 1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. Check that the timing marks are aligned on the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. An access plug is provided in the cam belt cover so that the camshaft timing can be checked without removal of the cover or any other parts. Set the crankshaft to TDC by aligning the timing mark on the crank pulley with the TDC mark on the belt cover. Look through the access hole in the belt cover to make sure that the timing mark on the cam drive sprocket is lined up with the pointer on the inner belt cover.

Always turn the engine in the normal direction of rotation. Backward rotation may cause the timing belt to jump time, due to the arrangement of the belt tensioner.

1. Drain cooling system. Remove the upper radiator hose as necessary. Remove the fan blade and water pump pulley bolts.

Hard to say. Depends on how fast the engine was running when it broke. Sounds like pretty fast from the belt getting mangled, right? You can put a new belt on and see if the engine will turn. If not, you know you've at least got some bent valves that are not seating. You can also loosen all of the rockers to see if that will let the engine turn--then you wouldn't have to buy a new belt before deciding whether or not to fix the motor.

sounds like a broken timing belt,timing belts like to break during engine cranking and engine shut down. there are inspection holes in the timing cover,if you can't determine, remove top half of timing cover and check belt for slap,if there's slap,it's broke.

Belt, remove the the front plastic cover which covers the Timing Belt to see if the belt is stripped of teeth, same as the old Ford Pinto motor.. remove dist cap and watch rotor rotation, see if it is spinning... Ignition Modules are a major issue with those in that year also... check module also...

Check for broken timing belt. Put a screew into spark plug head put the other end close but not touching to a metal engine part. have some one check for spark while you turn over engine. if thei is no spark check with distributor cap off if the rotor rotates when engine is being tuned over. if not then check timing chain. Good luck.

I'm not sure what you mean by being hard to crank. If you mean that the starter motor battles to turn over the engine it may be you have a flat battery. Otherwise if the engine itself is stiff to turn it may be much more serious. You can check this by taking out the spark plugs and putting the gearbox in neutral. You should then be able to turn the engine by hand by rotating the fan belt pulley.

If the engine is simply hard to start (requires a lot of cranking) and runs rough you may have an ignition timing problem. Check your ignition timing with a timing light. and take out and clean the spark plugs and set the plug gaps.

If your ignition is OK you may have a fuel supply problem. This will cause a drop in power. Commonly the engine will faulter if you accelerate hard. A common cause for a fuell supply problem is a blocked fuel filter. This is easy and cheap to replace so you may be lucky and this is your problem.