it's a '90-something ranger

my dad's got this ranger, and it's been giving him a lot of problems- i don't know what's wrong with it, but he's ready to junk it. sometimes the engine cuts out and there's always this motor oil smell, but then that could be because it's a work truck. when i look under the hood, everything looks fine, it's just an occasional thing. anyone know how i can keep it running?

could be a million things. have him code scan it to see if it's anything electrical. or could be a fuel pump or fuel filter going bad, starer or alternator going bad, maybe the battery ? ? ? i'd start with those. if it's burning oil at all anywhere then that would cause the smell.