Ford Ranger - Lemon? Advice

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 19, 2019

FordRangerDude

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: LIVERMORE

Ford Ranger - Lemon? Advice

Ford Ranger ‘05 3.0 V6
I’ve had a number of issues with this Ranger since I got it and I’m looking for some advice on what could be wrong and what to check next.

Issues :

Slight tapping noise on starting and throughout drives, gets much louder uphill accompanied by a rattle noise from the engine and hesitation under load
Squeaking noise (maybe belt, maybe camshaft synchronizer)
Engine runs hot, smells like oil after a drive
Air sound coming from front end when letting off the accelerator and cruising
Loud knocking when switching gears between first and second (wondering if it’s the driveshaft and has been an issue since I bought it)
Slight hum after reaching 35 to 40 mph (sounds like the brakes rubbing - but last they were checked, they seemed fine)
Revs high and rattles when barely touching the throttle, accelerator is sensitive but there’s no power behind it
Engine knocks when going from high speeds to low

Recently had my ignition coil pack done, mechanic said that it was working intermittently and had multiple fault codes but after that’s been done there’s been no change to the situation, the same noises, the same amount of power as before, nothing different on the gas mileage.

They mentioned it could be a possible carbon buildup which caused the rattling and pinging but didn’t recommend anything for that or do anything even though that was why I brought it in, so coming here instead.

Looking for any advice on what to check out first. I want to keep this running but I’m not trying to pay another mechanic a dime when none have fixed what I’ve brought up.

Aug 20, 2019

RonD

RF Veteran

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 30,635

Likes: 2,952

From: Vancouver, BC

Welcome to the forum

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordRangerDude

Ford Ranger ‘05 3.0 V6
I’ve had a number of issues with this Ranger since I got it and I’m looking for some advice on what could be wrong and what to check next.

Issues :

Slight tapping noise on starting and throughout drives, gets much louder uphill accompanied by a rattle noise from the engine and hesitation under load
Reads like an exhaust manifold leak
Squeaking noise (maybe belt, maybe camshaft synchronizer)
Cold engine, unhook fan belt, start engine, without fan noise see if you still hear the squeak, if so replace synchronizer, if not check pulleys
Shut off engine within 2 minutes as water pump is off with no fan belt
Engine runs hot, smells like oil after a drive
Replace PCV Valve, and valve cover gaskets, check oil pressure sender for leaks, drain and flush cooling system

Air sound coming from front end when letting off the accelerator and cruising
Check fan clutch, it may be locked
Loud knocking when switching gears between first and second (wondering if it’s the driveshaft and has been an issue since I bought it)
Service/lube the slip joint on drive shaft
Slight hum after reaching 35 to 40 mph (sounds like the brakes rubbing - but last they were checked, they seemed fine)
Could be time to service rear differential, drain and refill, could also be a front hub wearing out, watch for odd front tire wear
Revs high and rattles when barely touching the throttle, accelerator is sensitive but there’s no power behind it
Check throttle return spring, 3.0l Vulcan is not a power house, and it is a high RPM engine, so you need to keep RPMs above 3,300 to have any power, its the design so good for the engine to be in the 3,000-4,000 RPM range
Engine knocks when going from high speeds to low
Could be an exhaust leak

Recently had my ignition coil pack done, mechanic said that it was working intermittently and had multiple fault codes but after that’s been done there’s been no change to the situation, the same noises, the same amount of power as before, nothing different on the gas mileage.

They mentioned it could be a possible carbon buildup which caused the rattling and pinging but didn’t recommend anything for that or do anything even though that was why I brought it in, so coming here instead.
Run a can of Seafoam in the gas tank, that can help clean out some carbon, yes the 3.0l Vulcan engine is prone to ping/knock from carbon build up

Looking for any advice on what to check out first. I want to keep this running but I’m not trying to pay another mechanic a dime when none have fixed what I’ve brought up.

Just as a heads up the 2005 Rangers did not have PATS(passive anti-theft system), only year without it from 1999 to 2011
Nothing to do with above issues, just a heads up

Last edited by RonD; Aug 20, 2019 at 09:37 AM.