Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Difficult starting	Damaged ignition system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Damaged fuel system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Damaged starting system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Damaged charging system/battery.	REFER to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
	Burnt valve.	INSTALL a new valve.
	Worn piston.	For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and piston pin. For 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and connecting rod assembly.
	Worn piston rings.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL new piston rings.
	Worn cylinder.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new cylinder block.
	Damaged head gasket.	INSTALL a new head gasket.
	Damaged cooling system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
Poor idling	Vacuum leaks.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Damaged valve tappet guide or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
	Incorrect valve-to-valve seat contact.	REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve or valve seat.
	Damaged head gasket.	INSTALL a new head gasket.
	Worn or damaged engine support brackets.	INSTALL new engine support brackets.
	Worn or damaged engine support insulators.	INSTALL a new engine support insulator.
	Worn or damaged transmission insulator and retainer.	INSTALL a new transmission insulator and retainer.
Abnormal combustion	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Damaged valve tappet guide or valve tappet.	INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
	Burnt or sticking valve.	REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve.
	Weak or broken valve spring.	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Carbon accumulation in combustion chamber.	ELIMINATE carbon buildup.
Excessive oil consumption	Leaking oil.	REPAIR oil leakage.
	Malfunctioning PCV system.	REPAIR or INSTALL new necessary components.
	Worn valve stem seal.	INSTALL a new valve stem seal.
	Worn valve stem or valve guide.	INSTALL a new valve and valve guide.
	Sticking piston rings.	For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL new piston rings. For 4.0L engines, install a new piston and connecting rod assembly.
	Worn piston ring groove.	For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and piston pin. For 4.0L engines, install a new piston and connecting rod assembly.
	Worn piston or cylinder.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston or cylinder block.
Engine noise	Leaking exhaust system.	REPAIR exhaust leakage.
	Incorrect drive belt tension.	REFER to SPECIFICATIONS & DRIVE BELT ROUTING .
	Malfunctioning generator bearing.	Refer to the GENERATORS & REGULATORS .
	Malfunctioning water pump bearing.	REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
	Malfunctioning or damaged cooling system.	REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Loose timing chain/belt.	ADJUST or INSTALL a new timing chain/belt.
	Damaged timing chain tensioner.	INSTALL a new timing chain tensioner.
	Excessive main bearing clearance.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing.
	Seized or heat damaged crankshaft main bearing.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. CHECK the cylinder head distortion. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing.
	Excessive crankshaft end play.	For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new thrust bearing or crankshaft.
	Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing or connecting rod.
	Heat damaged connecting rod bearing.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod bushing.
	Damaged connecting rod bushing.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod bushing.
	Worn cylinder.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL a new cylinder block.
	Worn piston or piston pin.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston or piston pin.
	Damaged piston rings.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL new piston rings.
	Bent connecting rod.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod.
	Malfunctioning valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Excessive valve tappet or lash adjuster clearance.	ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
	Broken valve spring.	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Excessive valve guide clearance.	ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new valve guide and stem.
Insufficient power	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system.	Refer to the ENGINE article for additional information. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system.	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for additional information. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system.	Refer to the appropriate ENGINE article for additional information. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.
	Damaged or plugged exhaust system.	INSPECT exhaust system.
	Incorrect tire size.	REFER to WHEELS & TIRES .
	Dragging brakes.	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Slipping transmission.	Refer to the AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 5R44E & 5R55E .
	Malfunctioning valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Damaged valve tappet guide or valve tappet.	For 2.3L and 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet. For 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Compression leakage at valve seat.	For 2.3L and 3.0L REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve, valve seat or cylinder head. For 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Seized valve stem.	For 2.3L and 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new valve. For 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Weak or broken valve spring.	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Worn or damaged cam.	For 2.3L and 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new camshaft. For 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Damaged head gasket.	INSTALL a new head gasket.
	Cracked or distorted cylinder head.	INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Damaged, worn or sticking piston ring(s).	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL a new piston ring(s).
	Worn or damaged piston.	For 2.3L and 4.0L engines, INSTALL a new short block. For 3.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and piston pin.