So I recently purchased a 1996 Ford Ranger - RWD, 3.0L V6, Automatic transmission.

The truck runs well - starts up like clockwork, no warning lights or strange noises, no excessive vibration from the engine, transmission shifts smoothly. What I've noticed and am curious about is how LOUD it is when just sitting idle in the driveway. I'm unfamiliar with trucks as a whole so it could be nothing but I just thought I'd ask.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Mine is so quiet,at idle you can hardly here it.Mabey a tune up or muffler
is do,in your case.

old retired guy
I've had people ask me if my motor was running,or not,they couldn't tell for sure.

 

John, maybe your clutch fan has failed.
When the fluid inside is cold on first start up, the fan is very noisy, that's normal.
When the engine is cold, turn the fan by hand, it should be more stiff when compared to a warm engine. After warm up and the fan feels the same stiffness when cold, then most likely it's not working properly.
As the fluid warms up it should quiet down if the clutch fan is working properly.

When it's fully warmed up and you still think it's noisy, slip the belt off so nothing is turning at the front except for the crank.

If it's considerably quieter, then maybe the fan clutch is at fault.

DO NOT LEAVE IT RUNNING FOR MORE THEN A MINUTE WITH OUT THE BELT _ THE WATER PUMP ISN'T TURNING.

 

It's the fan clutch. Thanks everyone. Shouldn't be too difficult to fix, just going to have to wait for the next paycheck so I can buy the necessary parts and tools.

 

If they lock up, it sounds like a jet engine going down the road.

There are special tools to get it off the water pump.
Lots of videos on how to get it off too.
Here's one.
When I rebuilt my engine I removed the whole thing with the water pump and made a tool so I could lock the pulley in the vice.
Some times they come off easy, some times not.
I have never seize on mine now, so I just have to hold the belt tight and that works now.

 

Thanks again.

 

Thanks Jeff R 1 for the video, very clear and educational!