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Ford Ranger III - READ ONLY

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Messages Page 65 of 115

#638 of 1143 1999 FORD RANGER by aaftab

Sep 06, 2001 (5:00 pm)

I purchased a 1999 Ford Ranger XCAB about a month ago from a small dealership in TN. After couple of days driving I noticed the truck makes constant pinging and knocking upon acceleration. It happens only when truck is in gear ( this is a 5 spd tran. with only 30K miles) and accelerating. There is a constant banging that is felt through the gas and clutch padels as something were hitting them. I took the truck to my local Ford dealership and explain the problem, so they said to
leave the truck with them. I was called that evening, the truck was ready to go. When leaving the dealership I noticed the
problem was still there, so I went back to speak with the service adviser and he asked me to come back tomorrow and a transmission tech will ride with me to narrow down the problem. Next day the transmission tech takes the truck for a ride with me and says " oh you definetly have a problem" so the service adviser asked me could I leave the truck for couple days? so after TWO WEEKS my truck was ready or
so I was told but guess what? they rebuilt my transmission
and the truck is still pinging knocking and banging. I took it another Ford dealership they told me this 3.0 engine has ignition/ timing problem which Ford is trying to fix and as soon as they come up with a solution we will call you. Now I called the Ford CRC and they asked me nicely to take it back to the first dealership and they will recheck the concern.
At this time they kept the truck for 3 more days and told me that this truck has throttle body knock and all the Ford Rangers have that, so I asked them to put it in writing but the manager at the service dept. told me he could not do so because this is considerd "normal operational vehicle". I have made 5 phone calls to Ford and the last time I was told to wait two more weeks "they are opening a case file about my concern"
Notice they call it CONCERN not a PROBLEM.
 
Any help or suggestions?

#639 of 1143 3L Ping by bolivar

Sep 06, 2001 (5:32 pm)

A large percentage of Ranger 3L motors have ping.
 
It's a well known problem. Obviously not well known to you before you bought the truck.
 
Little can be done other than run higher octane gasoline. Go to mid-grade, hope this helps. If not, premium.
 
This is a long-time problem with 3L, across many years through 1990's and into current production also.

#640 of 1143 3.0 PING aaftab> Sorry to hear your problem !! by frey44

Sep 08, 2001 (8:42 am)

I was lucky enough to have discovered these truck boards before I got a Ranger. I bought a 4.0 to avoid the pinging problems. However, with the 4.0 you get knocks (probably piston slap) and shakes !! But, I will admit it is almost an ideal small truck motor to use with an automatic because it has such a flat torque curve. The 3.0 should respond to high octane; it will just cost more to run. But, that is still cheaper than getting another truck. One guy on here once mentioned using "additives", but I am sorry that I can't recall what brand. I assume it was an "octane booster" product. You might even try the high octane gas and/or booster just to DIAGNOSE that fuel in fact IS a cure. I also remember a guy saying he reduced ping by altering the INTAKE TRACT of the truck and using a different air filter. If I run across that post I will let you know.

#641 of 1143 3.0l by midnight_stang

Sep 08, 2001 (2:56 pm)

It's just a tough working engine (Extended cab weight) with relatively high compression. All modern EFI vehicles adjust the ignition and timing depending on speed, acceleration, load, etc. So this 'pinging' occurs only during times of highest strain, either heavy acceleration, with payload, or up a incline.
 
At a minimum use 87 octane(Some areas offer lower octane as "standard"). Try stepping up until your notice the problem going away.
 
Anybody with a 3.0l have experience with reducing or eliminating the problem with small performance modifications? Exhaust, K&N, snorkle removal, pulleys, wires or plugs?
 
Also please remember that there is a "Ford Ranger Problem" Forum available as well...

#642 of 1143 choices... by mjbwrtr

Sep 12, 2001 (9:02 pm)

hearing all this and seeing Edmunds and other sites saying "spotty build quality" and such, have made me waver on my choice of a new s-10...are they really that bad?
let me explain. i am looking for a new truck...a stripped down one which i can get great mileage and be able to do work on my house with and transport hunting and fishing supplies. i also commute quite a ways and i tend to hang onto vehicles and drive them until they sputter and kill themselves in the driveway for fear of going yet another mile.
so my choices are Ford Ranger with the new 4 cylinder, and the s-10 with the 2.2.
i want a manual tranny, air conditioning, cloth seats, and maybe a CD player. any suggestions or preferences? i could also use info regarding which engine is best.

#643 of 1143 mjbwrtr...BUY A STRIPPER TACOMA by frey44

Sep 13, 2001 (7:45 pm)

Stay away from both the Ranger and S-10. The Toyo with a 4 banger and 5 speed will give you 250 000 miles of highway driving with little trouble.

#644 of 1143 Forget that... by midnight_stang

Sep 14, 2001 (6:24 am)

Buy a stripper Tacoma, get next to nothing in options, but it will be cheap, and will probably last a while.
Buy a Ranger, for under 12,700 MSRP, get a clock, anti-theft alarm, tachometer, clock, and ABS standard. The only option I would recommend is the A/C and/or CD Player.
On Tacoma, the base model starts at 12,300 MSRP, but if you add ABS brakes ($590), you have to also purchase power doors and windows (additional 500). A 3 dollar digital clock in the base Tacoma costs 82 bucks. And if you add Intermitant wipers (standard in Rangers, which you probably want more than just "ON" or "OFF" wipers) the wipers must come with tilt wheel in Tacomas for another $245 bucks. $439 is the cost of the passive anti-theft alarm, another standard in Ranger.
Grant total of comparably equiped "Base" vehicles(no A/C, no CD player):
Ranger: $12,695 MSRP
Tacoma: $14,196 MSRP
 
And the A/C costs $985 in Tacoma. In Rangers it is standard for the Edge and XLT models, but is a $650 option for the XL.
 
Don't let the disenchanted fool you, I've been driving a '93 with 2.3l automatic for close to 8 years, and have over 137 thousand miles on it, and the valve cover has yet to be taken off. Still get over 21-22 MPG in the city. I'm 24 now, and this was my first vehicle purchase. And at age 16, you can imagine the abuse and torment I subjected this vehicle to. Ranger's are no slouch when it comes to long-term reliability.
 
If you want safety, look at the crash ratings for 2001.
http://nhtsa.com/ncap/cars/2001Pkup.html
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_smpkup.htm
But test drive them, and make your own informed decision. That's the best way to go.

#645 of 1143 2001 4.0 Ranger with auto, What mileage? by moparbad

Sep 16, 2001 (11:48 am)

With the $2500 rebate I am considering the purchase of a Ranger XLT 4X4 Supercab with 4.0L and auto. What I want to know is what is the real world mileage of this truck by it's owners?
Any insight as to mileage and experiences is appreciated.

#646 of 1143 Mileage: 2 actual examples of old and new 4.0 by frey44

Sep 16, 2001 (8:44 pm)

2001 4.0 xlt 4x4 5 speed auto with 16 inch wheels and LSD and open bed (I think it is 4.11 diff): highway at steady 65 is about 19 mpg [this truck has 18700 miles on it]. this truck is owned by a fellow teacher friend.
 
My truck, ditto above except is is the 2000 pushrod 4.0, with a cap, and higher gearing with 15 inch wheels: highway at steady 65 is also about 19 to perhaps 19.5. Overall average for each truck is about 15 to 16 mpg. My truck only has 13K on it, and mpg has improved with more miles. I am trying to sell it to buy a full 1/2 ton truck, which IMHO, will get as good, if not BETTER, mpg than the ranger. Good luck. (The 3.0 will do better on gas by about 1 to 1.5 mpg if you can put up with the pinging).

#647 of 1143 to moparbad by jfowlerjr

Sep 16, 2001 (9:50 pm)

I just bought a new ranger myself in may buy I've only got the 4x2 and I seem to average 21 miles a gallon with 80% highway driving. And by the way the new 4 liter seem to get better mileage than the 3.0 liter.
 
James

Messages Page 65 of 115

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