Picked up a sickly '94 2.3...Where to start?

[rwhite692]

Hi Folks, Lots of great info on these forums. I bought a 94 XLT ex.cab today, 4 cyl (2.3L, I guess?) 5-spd. The truck has 137K showing on the odo and is in overall decent shape. I got it for $1,700. The original engine was swapped out by the owner with another engine, which had only ~50K on it. I will pick it up Saturday. (incidentally, the original engine, with a newly refurbed head on it, is being thrown in...He determined it had a rod knock, AFTER popping for the refurbed head)

Anyway, the owner (who seems very genuine) reported that the truck was running well for him up until about two months ago, and then exhibited a complete loss of power (I drove it...the thing feels like it's running on two cylinders). He took it to his "friend the mechanic" just for advice and was told he either has a bad injector(s), or, something went way wrong with the timing. So, he (owner) proceeded to mess with the "distributor"-like item (sorry- I don't know exactly what to call this- call me "Mr. old school") which made things "much worse" (his words).

At this point, he had decided not to mess with the truck any more and put it up for sale, since his line of work has changed and he no longer needs the truck.

Any recommendations on what to check first? Do I need any special tools or equipment to set initial timing on this thing? Could the timing belt have jumped a tooth or ??? Any help appreciated! Thanks! -Rob

 

[charles88tc]

I have a 2.3 in my bird turbo of course, but engine diaqgnostics are engine diagnostics. I would first Run to Auto zone and have them scan the trouble codes, my usual store does it free as I imagine all of them do, next, check compression in all cylinders. Do it one at a time with all plugs in except the one your checking, beyond that, check timing, and all vacum lines. Thats atleast where I would normally start. HTH good Luck!


Oh forgot to mention check your fuel filter too!