hey gang! picked up a 2000 ext. ranger 4x4 automatic 3.0 for my daughter to drive which she will be doing in couple months. this is my first ford so i have some question about it just so i know everything is safe with it before she starts driving it!
well i will start with the engine fan! it seems to be running really fast and loud! louder then the motor even, best way to describe it is it seems like there is a load on the motor like the a/c was running or something, a freind has a 2001ranger same motor but his sounds "normal" quiet motor and fan, someone told me that some bimetal strip might be bad causing the fan to stay in the high postion can anyone help me out with some info on this??
thanks!
i also have some vibration issues which i will get into next by the way it has 110,000 on the motor

 

I have basically the same truck, but the fan isn't that loud on it. With it just running or idling the fan shouldn't be acting like that I would think. You could have a fan clutch going out letting the fan wiggle and create excess noise. Just throwin out ideas. BTW nice to see another Minnesotan on here!

 

i just had to have my fan clutch replaced on my 2000 4.0 ext cab.... it was staying engaged all the time, giving it a loud noise that was many times louder than the engine.... i'd check that first

 

thanks for the replies! i will deffinetly check the fan clutch can you tell me what exactly i will be lookin for to tell me the clutch is bad?

 

Alright, got this out of my Haynes manual.
1- Make sure car is OFF and disconnect negative terminal, if feeling really sheepish
2- Rock the fan back and forth to see if the bearing is worn
3- With the engine cold, turn the fan, it should move freely
4- Check for any fluid leaking anywhere
5- Now warm up the engine and after warm shut it down and now try turning the fan. There should be some friction. If not, the clutch is bad.

If it is bad, you do need special tools on V6 engines to replace it. Good luck and hope all goes well.

 

I did a little digging and you don't need those special wrenches if you have a big crescent wrench and a strap wrench. They will work just as well. I have to use them tomorrow for my water pump. Just in case you do need to change it out.

 

you guys are awesome! 60$ for the fan clutch 20minutes to change it out
runs nice and quiet now! thanks alot!

 

glad we could help but i believe the credit goes to hot wheels for the how to :)

 

Thanks but the credit goes to my Haynes manual. Glad I could help!

 

heres one for ya! do you guys leave it in O/D at all times or do you start out with the O/D off then around 60ish drop it back into O/D in a chevy this is a trailer button and is only used while towing,i am refering to the button on the end of the shifter, or should the O/D only be off when towing?

 

o/d is only off when toying a load... always leave it on... also if you turn it off and drive your mpg is gonna suck

 

thanks redneck! we will leave the OD in the on position unless towing, i will say it seemed like when cruzin 65 and were going to pass someone,we had more power with the OD off ,but we would like this to last because my daughter just loves her truck!
thanks again!

 

Mine OD is always on unless towing or pulling something in 4wd while in reverse so the tranny doesn't "hunt" for gears.

 

this ranger i have is the stepside style and has a matching topper.
do you guys think that if i removed the topper it would increase the MPG ? im only gettin about 260 miles a tank which is somewhere around 13 to 15mpg
i was hoping this 3.0 would do better! i have done a tune up like plugs wires oil change flushed the radiator and have checked the tire pressure. anyone know anything else i can do to squeeze out better gas milage