Hi guys. I finally let my 94 Ranger go, with over 400,00 miles on it. I got a 2003 Ranger XLT four door extended cab with the 3.0 flex fuel engine. Now, with 97,000 miles on the odometer the Check Engine light came on. Took it to my mechanic who checked it out. He said he got code P0301 which means cylinder #1 had a misfire. Then he did a Mode 6 test. He called it a live test. It showed misfires on 4,5 and 6. He then did a leak down test which showed 25% leakage at the exhaust valve in #4. Compression was only 40 pounds on that cylinder. He stopped there and told me I needed a valve job.

My concern is this. I have found Ford Technical Service Bulletin TSB 05-26-3 on the internet. It says that cylinder heads from 2004-2006 were made of too soft material. Ford made replacement heads for these trucks out of a harder material.

I called the local Ford service dept. but they said cylinder heads were no longer available and also that particular TSB did not come up when they punched in my VIN.

However, I am thinking that my truck has those defective heads anyway. My truck is one year older. Seems like it might have been one of the first to get the defective heads. I have always serviced it per factory recommendations. It shouldn't need a valve job already under normal circumstances.

I did find dealers on eBay who sell heads that they say will fit my year. Their part number is 6U7Z6049A.

Can anyone confirm that these are the heads I need for my year and model?
Did Ford use the same part number for both left and right?

Has anyone had any experience with these heads? I am thinking of ordering a pair and have my mechanic install them. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

 

Whats the production date on your door jamb sticker? Years are not very specific since if it was procuced close to or overlapping a new model year you can get newer parts. IE mine is a 2003 model but it was produced 10/02 so it has some 02 parts as well as 03 so if your on the edge of years like mine its possible they may have used an 04 style motor with the heads you speak of. I don't have to much knowledge on the TSB itself but its possible that they dont have it in the computer that way. Sometimes its input based on triggers from the year digit in the VIN (yours is vinned 03 so the computer assumes it has no 2004 parts). Most notably with issues with engines since most likely the VIN digit identifying the 3.0 didn't change so as far as its concerned you have a 2003 model 3.0 so it thinks you have no problem. Also there will be a white sticker on the drivers side valve cover at the front with an engine production date and ID number on it. You can grab that and go from there to search for heads. They should have a way to look up the ID tag number.