First, this may sound like a silly question to ask, but I have to ask to know.

I currently have a '96 Ranger 2.3 / 5spd that was purchased new, and have been driving it for 337,000 miles. Today, I went to look at and test drive a 2008 B2300 5spd that is for sale.

On startup of the 2008 23NS, the first thing I noticed under the hood was how loud the engine was compared to my '96 2.3. The 2008 sounds like a loud fan and valvetrain noise at idle, where-as my '96 is a soft quiet idle.

I know these are two completely different engines, but has anyone else ever owned both the Lima 2.3 and the newer 23NS that can give me their description of audible differences between the two while listening to the engine run with the hood up? I don't know enough about the 23NS to know if this is how they sound normally, but I can pick out the sound of a good running 2.3 Lima any day.

On the test drive of the 2008, it sounded like a typical 4cyl from inside the cab, and felt like it ran smooth. Didn't smoke, and had a little more power than my tired Lima 2.3. I held off on purchasing it today until I looked into the engine sound. It could be just the way these engines sound, but I also don't want to buy a truck that needs a new top end.

Short Version: Are the 23NS's normally louder than the 2.3 Lima's at idle?

 

Shouldn't be, I don't have one, but the '01 and up 2.3l duratec Rangers had electric radiator fan, so should actually be quieter, no fan noise on startup.

They do use a timing chain instead of a belt so could start making extra noise if parts were failing, example here:
Bad tensioner

Or one of the accessory bearings is starting to go, i.e. alternator, power steering, A/C, idler or tensioner pulley, water pump

 

Thanks for the response. You can actually make out what you're hearing in the video. When I started the truck today, it sounded like you were listening to very loud TV static. Like on an old TV where the picture was "snow" and you turned the volume full blast. It was just a bunch of loud noise.

Considering how this truck also needed brakes and tires, I think I will pass on it and continue my search for another Ranger / B2300.

Thanks again for the response and video link.

 

okay i am somewhat confused by your request

is your vehicle in good mechanical condition ( ie :: badly rusted frame / rusting body parts )

or is it in very good mechanical condition ..

if i owned a 96 ranger that is in excellent condition , and it is paid off , i would have the engine transmission / rear axle completely rebuilt

there is no sense going into large debt if you do not have to