Two for the Price of One
Q:Why does my '96 Ranger with the 2.3-liter I-4 have eight spark plugs? No one seems to know.
A:The Ford "Dual Plug" 2.3-liter inline- four-cylinder engines have been standard equipment in the Ranger since '89. The twin-plug-design cylinder head is used to increase the efficiency of combustion. This provides a faster burn by starting the combustion process from two different angles within the combustion chamber. The result is better performance with maximum fuel efficiency. The system utilizes a distributorless ignition system comprised of two separate four-post coil packs. The system also incorporates a dual-plug inhibit. This limits firing to only the four spark plugs on the right side of the engine during startup and then switches to dual-plug mode after ignition. Similar combustion chamber designs have been used by Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz. Honda has just come out with new 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter engines utilizing a technologically advanced i-DSI (intelligently controlled Dual and Sequential Ignition) system based on the dual-plug combustion chamber.
How To Reach Alex
If you have a technical question regarding your pickup, SUV, or van, feel free to contact Alex, who is a master technician with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Send a letter to him in care of Truck Trend Garage, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, or e-mail us at trucktrend@primedia.com. Due to the volume of questions received every month, we cannot guarantee that everyone's question will be personally answered or will appear in the magazine.