I was driving my 96 2.3 down the road, when suddenly the oil pressure gauge went to zero and the truck died. Further attempts to crank it resulted in the engine turning over but not firing. Upon turning the ignition on, the fuel pump could be heard. There was no smoke or roaring of a locked up engine, and the truck was able to be pulled home as this happened a mile away from home. Tried fuel reset button, it wasn't tripped. A sensor maybe? I don't know. Everything about this truck so far has been relatively cheap partswise, but a real mother to install. Just put a new heater core, heater valve, water pump, and serpentine belt a month ago. Everything seemed fine, no indications of problems then BOOM, just died. Help please!

my guess would be timing belt

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Dave K
2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 Sport 4.0L "Dixie"
Rancho Suspension/Auto/3.73's/Pinstriped/Flowmaster SS Exhaust.

FUTURE: 3' Body Lift/32's/Windshield Visor/Brush Guard.

timing belt.

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1995 Ford Ranger XLT- Project #27

timing belt X3

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1996 XLT 2.3T "White Lightning" 5/7 dropped, Turbo street toy
2006 FX4 Off Road, DD, work in progress
1985 XLT 2.8L 4x4 "The Black Pearl" (retired but still around)
1987 XL 2.3L 2wd R.I.P.

Is there any way to check it without removing the cover? In order to install the water pump, the cover had to come off, and it is a lengthy procedure to get to it, including renting a pulley puller to remove the power steering pump. In all, about 2-3 hours just to get the cover off plus $40 to rent the puller.(The bolts to the PSP are too long to remove without pulling the pulley almost off.) As I recall the belt did look worn. My haynes manual intimidated me into not fooling with it though. It also described heater core removal as 1. Remove dash 2. Remove plenum 3. Remove heater core 4. Installation is reverse of removal.

I checked it out. That was the problem. Thanks for the timely advise!