Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 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 for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Damaged fuel system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Damaged starting system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Damaged charging system/battery	REFER to CHARGING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	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 for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
Poor idling	Vacuum leaks	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES 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 for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES 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 ACCESSORY DRIVE article.
	Malfunctioning generator bearing	Refer to the appropriate Battery and Charging System article for the procedure.
	Malfunctioning water pump bearing	REFER to ENGINE COOLING article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged cooling system	REFER to ENGINE COOLING article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES 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 bearing.
	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 appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system	Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE ENGINES article.
	Damaged or plugged exhaust system	INSPECT exhaust system.
	Incorrect tire size	REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES article.
	Dragging brakes	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Slipping transmission	Refer to the appropriate Automatic Transmission article for the procedure.
	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.