Hello. I have a 98 ranger with the 2.5 four cylinder. The timing belt broke on it this weekend. I pulled in apart and installed a new one. I triple checked the timing marks and am sure that all three line up as they should. While I had it apart, I decided to put on new spark plugs and wires. I pulled off the intake manifold and removed the vacuum lines to get at the two difficult spark plugs. After I got all finished my ranger started right up and idled well. I thought all was fixed. When I put the truck in reverse it died. Then it didn't want to start up again. I had to pump the gas to get it started again. It acts like it is loading up with fuel, as it seems like the exhaust smells like raw fuel. I also notice that the farthest fuel injector back is ticking loudly. Did I screw something up with the injector? It seems more like a fuel problem than the timing. The timing is on. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

Well if the timing belt broke, you might have bent or busted up valves.

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SOLD:'05 2wd Ranger xl with the 3.0
MODS-Alpine head unit, throttle cable mod, Black Rock wheels, FX4 lvl II axle swap, pooleo's camo painted bezel and mustang dome, painted/aftermarket headlights/tails fold-a-cover and over 100 hp in stickers

'86 AMC Eagle and '01 Grand Prix GTP

you could do a compression test to determine if a valve is bent.

You didnt remove the injectors when you worked on it did u?

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No I didn't remove the injectors. I thought this was a "non interference" engine.

it is a non interference engine. I am not sure why everyone is talking about a bent valve. just curious. You definitely lined up the the the crank and cam... right , and you line up the oil pump? you installed all the vacuum lines back on yoo hooked up the IAC valve correctly

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I didn't think it could be valve damage either. It starts right up, runs good, but seems to load up. When I put it in reverse, the rpms go down and it stalls. Then I have to crank and crank on it (and pump the gas) to get it restarted. Then it runs rough for a few seconds and straightens out. It does tick now. Using a long screwdriver as a stethoscope, it seems to be coming from the rear most injector- not the valve cover.

You sure you hooked everything back up. How about the IACV. Cam positioning sensor. You said it stalls when you put it in reverse. How about when you put it in drive. Does it stall then also

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2004 Ext Cab, 4WD, 4.0, Auto, 154k. (4.0 engine is out of a 2009 Ranger w/96k) ( as of 7/1/2017)

2004 Ranger, Ext Cab, 2WD, 3.0, 5 speed , 4WABS, crank windows, no cruise, Edge 116k.(6/5,2014) (SOLD).
1999 Ford Ranger, Reg Cab, 2.5, 5 speed, 2WD, no AC, 150k (SOLD).

I took it all back apart last night and checked everything out. Timing marks were right on. I pulled the upper intake manifold off, checked the vacuum lines, Jiggled the injectors and wiring to them, and sprayed out all the electrical connections. When I put it back together it started just as good as always. No more ticking. I let it run for about a half hour at idle, and then took it around the block. Seems ok now. Maybe the computer had to reset?