A bit long, sorry.


Recently, my truck has started to make a faint noise similar to spark knock. I already had some spark knock if i was climbing a hill, but this sound is different. It only happened when I was either in 1st or reverse so I began to think it was the clutch or another transmission problem. I was doing a few checks tonight on fluids and started it up and I saw a spark coming from one of the wires. I moved a few wires and they seemed a bit too close to one of the belts. One was torn through and another was on the way. The 2.3 Ranger has 8 spark plugs, 2 per cylinder. Is it possible the knocking is coming from this? It doesn't do the knocking after I'm into 2nd gear or have higher than idling takeoff from first. Or is this something that is coincidental and I'm having a few more problems with my truck such as a transmission problem?

Sidenote: I had my truck inspected recently and I'm really distrustful of mechanics. I had a few screw me over, one instance I had someone change all my spark plugs and they only replaced 6 because they were too lazy to get to the other 2. Anyways, after my truck was inspected a worker came over to me and told me I needed to get my serpentine belt changed and he almost didn't pass me. Without even asking he gave me an estimate to get it taken care of. I'm probably being paranoid but a part of me says this guy moved some shit around in my engine. Didn't know if anyone has heard anything like that happening. Seems a bit much, almost like a mini time bomb set by a mechanic.

3/15/2008 9:10:52 PM

a couple wires were worn through to the bare copper? do you have any idea what they connect to? can you post pics maybe?

[Edited on March 15, 2008 at 9:17 PM. Reason : or did you mean the plug wires were worn?]

3/15/2008 9:14:31 PM

The plug wires, it was showing the yellow (insulation?) material. But they were sparking, it was dark enough to notice.

3/15/2008 9:25:00 PM

if plug wires are sparking, you need to replace them anyway so that would be a good place to start. I've seen a new set of wires make a huge difference in a lot of engines.

3/15/2008 9:39:57 PM

I'll have to replace them because they are worn out, but overall the plugs and the wires are probably about a year old. Is the truck more stressed or doing different things combustion wise when taking off with that many spark plugs?

3/15/2008 9:49:36 PM

Problem is still there. I'm taking it to AAMCO to get a transmission check at 7:30 AM. Anyone have any personal experiences with them or a suggestion of someone better?


Thanks.

3/16/2008 5:29:02 PM