Hi everyone! I知 a new guy to the forums and to Fords. I grew up a VW guy.

I recently got my mother in laws 88 ranger XLT with a 2.3L (I知 pretty sure). She was the original owner and had it sat in the garage for 5-10 years. I moved it to my place and gave it a full time up (plugs, wires, oil, filters) and a new alternators. I finally got it running well and registered. I drove it across town and on the way back I started getting what I thought sounded like a loud lifter tick. My oil light came on and I pulled over, oil was good, no leaks. It started back up and the noise continued. I kept heading home and I noticed a slight loss in power in 3rd. It made it home without any other changes. I went to move it into the garage later and all I heard was a furious starter whine.

Ive been out of town for a week so I haven稚 gotten any deeper into it. I go back tomorrow and was hoping someone would be able to point me in a starting direction.

I appreciate any help I get. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

The 2.3l Lima engines have a timing belt that will break after 80-100k miles OR if left unused for long periods, lol
Won't cause engine damage but also won't start
And if cam is not turning the starter motor is just turning crank with little or no compression, so can spin very very fast

When you get back look behind the timing belt cover to see if timing belt is on the cam gear at the top of engine, if not belt is broken
Belt also runs the Oil Pump and distributor

 

That痴 a great place to start. I had a feeling it might have something to do with that but I was hoping it wasn稚. It looks like I知 going to learn a lot more a lot faster than I expected.

thank you!