Just wanted to say hello to everyone, I am new to the site and I know there are many Ranger Enthusiasts here and I am hoping that someone can help me with my problem. I own a 2003 Ranger FX4 , been a great truck up until a few days when I got a check engine light that was blinking after start up. I am a fourth year apprentice and I work on my own cars. I scanned the truck and it came up with misfire codes for cylinder # 1, 2 and 3 , all on one side, Now this might be a coincidence but I also had no heat at that time. I checked for vaccum leaks and intake leaks , no problems found, I did a compression test on cylinder 1 and it fluctuates and the highest reading I ever get like 90 psi ,at times ever drops down to 40 psi hence its an internal issue. I also hear the chain ratlle on ocassions. My first guess the chain given the fact that Ford has issues on the older 4.0 SOHC engines. I did a coolant pressure test and it holds pressure and no leaks detected so that kind of rules out a head gasket issue. The mileage is current at 331,000 kms which when converted would be approx 205,000 miles. Has anyone come across any problems or guide me as to what to do next. Your help is very much appreciated.

 

Ive seen it a couple times. Both times the enough plastic had broke and fallen out on the rear, bank one tensioner the the chains play was letting bank one out of time. Is the noise coming out of the pass side wheel well toward rear of motor? One was so bad it bent the valves in bank one.

 

As far as the noise goes it sounds more from the front near the fan clutch but then again I will make sure just to be at peace of mind. I know for a fact its a chain rattling.

 

ok I drove my truck for a whole day ...no CEL , no misfire , was driving fine and today the same problem ...misfire on Cylinder 1 , 2 and 3 and also 2 other codes one said O2 sensor stuck open and running rich and the last code was misfire detected during the first 1000 RPM's . Has anyone come across any similar issues. I just want to make sure that it is not something else that can be fixed other then replacing the motor.

 

I have the exact same issues with my '04 4.0L SOHC. But mostly on cyl. 3. It runs fine during normal driving, but under hard acceleration at higher rpm's it starts to stumble. Also during idle it gets the misfire. If I shut the truck off and re-start it the misfire goes away, for a short time until I stop at another red light. I have replaced the coil, wires, plugs and fuel filter to no avail. I had a coolant leak that has caused the crank trigger sensor to get all covered in grime, so that's my next thing to look at, as well as cleaning the MAF sensor.