Well, I went out today and got a can of Seafoam just as a last-ditch effort to salvage my cylinder head before tearing into it all over again. I figured the coolant caused a build up that was preventing oil from making it to the valves.

My knocking valves got progressively worse over the course of 3 days. After treating my engine (and using the last 1/5 or so of the can in the oil) I took it for a test drive.

After the smoke stopped, the valve noise got worse and worse, to the point it sounded like I had a screwdriver bouncing around in the engine compartment.

I made it home, but won't be taking the truck out any more until I can replace the cylinder head (completely) or swap the motor for a 302.

This sucks....here I am fresh into school, with no job, broke as a joke, and now I don't have my truck!

 

should have bought a yota. haha i wish i did

 

nope. i just know that the 3.0's in the 4 runners is a problem. and still thats one recall out of 100 that the ranger has

 

That ABSOLUTELY sucks. You don't deserve that. I'm sorry that your truck is being such a problem. I don't like that banging but I hope it turns out to be something not too bad -- but I'm not sure the chances are good.

Well, if the 302 doesn't work out financially, any good compatible junkyard engine would certainly be an improvement. Have you been out to the yards your way? If you were up in this area a bunch of us could go help you pull an engine and get it swapped. Not sure how good your JY's are where you are though -- the quality varies considerable from place to place.

 

You may want to think about getting a new 4 banger in... I know it would suck, but buy a running junkyard 2.3 for $200, drop it in and then start saving and put in the glorious 302 when you can afford it comfortably... And in the meantime, look for a job

 

that sucks dude...no vehicle should have that kind of problem, but it's good you're trying to see the most optimistic outcome for it

otherwise any vehicle purchase is a hit or miss...and although the hits outweigh the misses, there's always the possibility that your truck will suck...and I feel like you should identify that before you buy one...if you got a lemon, you got a lemon by statistics...not because all rangers suck

either way, I would've gotten a 'yota too if I could afford it :)

 

After calling around to local salvage yards, I got a quote of $175 for the complete cylinder head assembly from a 2.5. However, now you guys have me wondering if now would be a good time to swap in a complete engine from a Ranger (4.0?).

Is my 4-speed OD tranny compatible with a 4.0? Or would it require a tranny swap also? I recently had the tranny re-built completly, so I would hate to swap it out for a "mystery tranny".

 

It isn't compatible.

Are you sure the valve noise isn't a bearing rap?

 

I'm not sure. It's not a consistent noise. It varies with engine RPM's, and gets SIGNIFICANTLY worse when I let off the throttle and during deceleration.

What are the symptoms of bearing rap?

 

whats with everyone ragging on rangers and wanting to go with toy's?

 

If we were talking about the bearing rap in my old '78 3.8L Buick Skyhawk, then you would be describing it exactly.

 

hehe.

 

I don't know myself, but it gets me a little hot under the collar when that's someones responce.......

 

go for it. i have said nothing offensive

and im not ragging i stating the truth. i love my ranger but it does tend to be a problem. if im lying then shoot. if i could have afforded it i would have bought the yota. i can afford it now so when i do get it i will leave if u want.

good luck with the truck man

 

my truck is parked until my clutch kit comes in the mail, don't feel bad.
check on www.car-part.com for motors and crap.

 

u cant drive it at all?

 

Quite honestly, I don't care to hear another word about a Toyota or someone's opinion of it. This Message Board is for Ford Rangers and Ranger Enthusiasts. Any even more honestly, I will never in my life put myself or any of my family members behind the wheel of a Toyota. Sure, they may be reliable, but MY opinion is that Toyota is not for me. If I want a vehicle that's more capable off-road, I'll get a Jeep, thank you.

So I guess the "bearing rap" is coming from the crank? It does sound like there's a lot of play in the connecting rods or something...either way it sounds AWFUL and PAINFUL!!

I guess replacing the head isn't the best idea now, considering I may have a problem below the pistons! This is starting to suck more and more each time I get more information!

 

Honestly, knowing what I do about the 2.3/2.5's, the chances of it being in the head are slim to none. The cam shaft is a roller setup with hydaulic lash adjusters, almost impossible to destroy a valve assembly in one of these heads unless you starved it for oil which its appearant thats not the case.

I'm betting, like you're already thinking, is that you have rod knock, and the fact that you ran sea foam through it and it got worse only leads me to believe thats the only possiblity. Having the coolant get into the oil no doubtly wiped out a bearing surface which ultimately leads to over large clearance's and then a spun bearing. Best bet if you don't want to grenade your current motor is to stop driving it immediatly. And find a JY donor motor, there are hundreds of thousands of rangers out there, so there are plenty in the yards.

OR... it sounds like a perfect time to go 2.3T

 

If the noise sounds like hitting a board with a hammer in rapid succession, its in the bottom end, not the valves. Valve noise is more of a tick than a knock.
Its possible the oil pump has failed, so I wouldn't lose ALL hope just yet. But even if that is the problem and you replace it, there is still a chance of major bearing damage in the bottom end.

 

Bearing rap = rod knock.

 

He said he was in a hurry and anxious to get it back together. We all make mistakes.

I know I have.

 

if everyone bought a yota, there would be no need for mechanics.

pretty sad, but true.

my next truck will be a yota