Hello everyone, I need some help. I have a 1996 Ranger with the 3.0 w/ auto trans. It started making a knocking sound a couple weeks ago but it would only do it when accelerating from a stop, now it has started doing it constantly. I pulled the spark plugs last night and they were toast (the driver side was worse than the passenger side) so I put in a new set but it didn't stop the knock. I'm thinking it may be a timing issue but I just don't know. I had the codes checked and the only one that came up was a bad purge valve but I don't think that should have anything to do with this. If I had to describe the sound, I would say it sounds like something metal hitting the firewall. It won't knock at an idle or in park, only under load. I've tried checking for any vacuum leaks with carb cleaner, found one small one and repaired it with a new hose.

Our other car is currently broke down so we are currently without a vehicle and don't have the money to take it to a mechanic so any help is highly appreciated.

 

if its knocking then its time for a new motor....how many miles are on the truck

 

Can you replicate the engine knock by revving the engine when parked? This would help pinpoint the source.
Check for worn transmission mount or exhaust hangers.
These are hardy engines, they should last a long time.

 

if it is maintained properly...we dont know how well it was maintained

 

My 3.0 started pinging about a month ago, I put a bottle of seafoam in the gas tank and filled it up with E85 and the knock went completely away, since then I have switched back to regular 87 octane unleaded and the knock has stayed away, btw I only got 12.4 mpg on the E85, not very economical.

 

Have you tried checking the lifters? That's the problem I had with mine. Had to replace the lifter.