I have an 01 Ranger Edge 3.0 auto
when i accelerate hard, once it reaches between 3k-4k rpm, i get a rattling that gets worse as i go faster but seems to disappear after 4k
I have replaced the water pump, tensioner (assembly, not just pulley), idler pulley (straight from ford), and power steering pump
It runs fine but im worried because not to long ago i busted a fan belt while the same noise was occuring
any insight?

 

Are you sure its not the 3.0 ping?

 

it may be, i dont know what that is...
can you elaborate?

 

The 3.0 tends to knock and ping especially in the summer heat. You can get reduce it by replacing the plugs ang cleaning the throttle body. Mine would start pinging at 2 to 3000 rpms pretty bad.

 

An '01 3.0 ?
Pull the cam syncronizer quick and see how bad a shape it's in.
Use the search button at the top of the pane for it. might scare you a bit though.

 

hmmm not sure but our 06 explorer does the same type of thing we figured out the metalic sounds were coming from the heat shield vibrating O.o .. ours does this also about 3-4000 rpm but is a 4.0 not 3.0