I have a 1988 Ranger with a 4 cylinder, 2.0L engine. I recently replaced the camshaft, rocker arms, starter, plugs, plug wires, ignition coil, and the timing belt. Anyway, I finally finished putting it back together, and I am having the hardest time getting it to start. I've hooked it up to the jumper cables and tried unsuccessfully for about 45 minutes. All of the timing marks lined up when I put on the belt. And the rotor was lined up to fire on the first cylinder. I've checked with five people locally who were a little stumped. Any solutions would be appreciated. Thanks.

andrew

You might try a little starting fluid. If it runs for a few seconds then you may have a fuel pump problem. I believe (not sure) you have to make sure that the pressure in the fuel lines is correct before it will start right (in addition to making sure the fuel pump is powering on and priming).

Actually, it won't even start. I can hear it backfire, so I know that it is firing. It just won't turn over at all. It has a mechanical fuel pump which I replaced about 8 months ago along with the fuel line. the fuel filter was just replaced 2 months ago. It has been sitting in my backyard for about a month without running. Last Saturday, we had it running, but it was extremely rough and spraying oil everywhere. I found the cause for the oil spray was because I forgot to install the camshaft seal. Once I put it on, it hasn't run since. I've checked the oil everyday, and it is still at the full line.

Actually, it won't even start. I can hear it backfire, so I know that it is firing. It just won't turn over at all. It has a mechanical fuel pump which I replaced about 8 months ago along with the fuel line. the fuel filter was just replaced 2 months ago. It has been sitting in my backyard for about a month without running. Last Saturday, we had it running, but it was extremely rough and spraying oil everywhere. I found the cause for the oil spray was because I forgot to install the camshaft seal. Once I put it on, it hasn't run since. I've checked the oil everyday, and it is still at the full line.

That sure sounds like a timing issue. I'd pull the cover and re-check the timing marks. They have to be exactly right - even a small amount off will create a starting/running problem.

This used to also get caused by putting the distributor in 180 degrees out. Don't know if it is still possible to make that mistake with these new-fangled engines.

Okay, it was a timing problem. I redid the belt and cranked it a few turns by hand and I noticed the timing marks weren't lining up after about 3 complete turns. then I realized that I forgot to tighten the bolt on the timing belt tensioner. Feel free to call me a blonde. I reset all of the pulleys to TDC and reset the belt, tightened the tensioner, and it started to crank and turn over. Now, whenever I try to crank it, it sounds like the engine is seizing up and it will not turn over or crank. If I let it sit for a second, then try it again, it does the same thing. It starts cranking for a few seconds then it seizes up and stops.

It's possible that you may have bent a valve, or worse, damaged a piston by cranking it with the timing marks off - especially if it ever counter-rotated.

It may be time to have a mechanic look at it.

Finally got it running. turns out is was an extremely easy fix. Replace the battery. It had just enough juice to turn the engine a little, but not start it and keep it running. Now, it's leaking oil like a siv, and burning it on the exhaust manifold. I found where it's leaking, and in a little bit, I'm going out to see if I can fix it. I'll let you know how it turns out.