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Ford Ranger Maintenance and Repair

2991 messages,  Last post on Jun 05, 2013 at 2:00 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Ranger, Truck

Messages Page 94 of 300

#930 of 2991 Ride quality by soco4

Dec 12, 2004 (10:50 pm)

I have a 2000 Ranger 3.0/AT Supercab with 22,000 miles. Does anyone know if the 2001 front suspension changes can be fairly readily and inexpensively fitted? I remember reading that Ford softened the front springs by 27% and made some other changes. Experience with a rented 2001 Ranger Supercab indicated a noticeable improvement in ride quality; the front suspension was more compliant than my 2000's.
 
The Michelin LTX tires and Monroe Reflex shocks I installed have given a more stable and controlled ride, but further improvement would be welcome. Information/details about Ford's suspension changes will be much-appreciated.

#931 of 2991 Re: alignment problems [wijoco] by macro12

Dec 13, 2004 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: wijoco (Dec 07, 2004 7:52 pm)
Well...turns on the truck still goes down the road sideways...its had 3 aligements in less then 3 weeks so I dont think that is an issue...the dealer currently has my truck and they are looking into whether or not the frame is bent or not...talking to them this afternoon they still where not sure what the problem is but they want to keep it overnight...atleast this time several people from the dealership finally road behind the truck to see how out of wack it is. If its a wrecked vehicle looks like they may be buying it back...

#932 of 2991 Rough starts by dimension2

Dec 13, 2004 (10:07 pm)

The mystery:
 
I have a 99 Ranger XLT ex cab 4x4 with the 4.0 and 5 speed. It has 75,000 miles.
 
About 4 months ago I noticed it ran very rough (like misfiring on one or more cyclinders) for about 30 seconds after starting if it's been sitting more than an hour. This doesn't happen every start, but about half the time.
 
A tune up didn't help. The mechanic (not Ford) then diagnosed a head or head gasket leak - based on fluid in # 4 cylinder. Took it to another mechanic for a second opinion. He kept it 3 days and disagreed with 1st mechanic's diagnosis. (He even kept 25 lbs pressure on the cooling system overnight and stuck rolled up paper towels in the # 4 spark plug hole - no fluid.) He agreed it ran rough, but had no idea why.
 
I finally took it to the only Ford dealer within 60 miles. (I've had VERY bad experiences with them before, and so try to avoid them.) They put it on the computer. Came up blank. They finally diagnosed it as a bad spark plug "sucking oil into the cylinder," and replaced #4 plug. It ran fine for a week; then started all over again - and seems to be getting worse.
 
I've pulled the #4 plug and it looks clean. The truck does not smoke, and it has never overheated or tripped any warning lights.
 
Sorry this post is so long. Does anyone have any notions?
 
Thanks,
 
Dimension2

#933 of 2991 Re: Vibration Problem [ppborceb] by smoothop1

Dec 14, 2004 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: ppborceb (Dec 12, 2004 4:22 pm)
My FX4 is a 2004 as well. I bought it in N.J. I'll have to get back to as far as when it was built. Final assembly point was Twin Cities. It has the new 4.0 engine. Pleas keep me informed, and I'll post back soon with more info.

#934 of 2991 dimension2 by jrc346

Dec 14, 2004 (9:10 pm)

I am trying to solve a similar problem with a different vehicle. My son's car (1996 Ford T-Bird 4.6L V8) is at home for the time being while he is at school, so I drive it from time to time. Now that the weather has cooled, the condition has become much more pronounced.
I talked to a ASE mechanic that has worked on many different vehicles. He said that after 30 seconds, the computer takes over the functions of the car. Which is why after this 30 second period, the idle goes down. While the car is in this 30 second open loop, it is burning with a rich condition to keep the vehicle going until the 02 sensors, MAF sensor etc, can get heated up and take accurate readings. Anyway, the problem remains. Once the car gets about 2 minutes into operation, it runs just fine. I have done a lot of searching on the internet for similar problems, with the hope of finding a solution. Two things I will be looking into, is a Mass Air Flow sensor cleaning (with electric parts cleaner) and I will also check out the Idle Air Control Valve.
My son had the MAF sensor replaced about 20,000 miles ago to eliminate a check engine light and rough idle. Since then, the car runs much better, but lately has been getting back to its old ways. (Check engine light included)
 
Do you notice that if you take off and drive right away after start, that you are confronted with a huge lack of power for about 10-20 seconds?

#935 of 2991 Re: dimension2 [jrc346] by dimension2

Dec 15, 2004 (8:06 am)

Replying to: jrc346 (Dec 14, 2004 9:10 pm)
I wouldn't say a huge lack of power, but the truck stumbles a bit and shakes like crazy, as though it's running on only 5 of the six cylinders. (If I was trying to beat another Ranger of equal specs off the line, I certainly would lose.) But as the engine becomes smoother, the power does return.
 
My concern is if this is a coolant leak into the engine, I want to attack it before I have to rebuild the entire engine.
 
But so far there is no condensation on the oil filler cap and pulling the #4 plug showed no fouling. I guess I should try pulling the other plugs, but what a pain some of them will be!!
 
The problem used to rear its ugly head whenever the truck had been parked overnight. Then it was half a day. Now it's an hour.
 
Dimension2

#936 of 2991 Re: Vibration Problem [smoothop1] by ppborceb

Dec 15, 2004 (8:53 am)

Replying to: smoothop1 (Dec 11, 2004 8:57 pm)
Smoothop1:
I brought it into the dealer on 12/14, and the service manager called later to tell me he had good news/bad news.
 
It seems there was a 'Special Service Bulletin'(the step before a TSB) about premature tire wear and rim runout that caused vibration.
 
The good news: They are going to put on a new set of tires(upgrading from P245/75R16 to P255/70R16) and a new set of rims(they had a little runout).
 
The bad news: They couldn't do it today because they have to wait for the parts to come in from the distribution center.
 
Now I'm waiting for the call to come in and I'll wait while they swap the tires/rims and re-program the computer because of the change in tire size. After that, the service manager and I will go out and give it a test run to see if the vibration is GONE!
 
I'll keep you posted.
 
PPB
20041215.3.104800

#937 of 2991 dimension2 by jrc346

Dec 15, 2004 (9:22 am)

Unless you are loosing coolant, or you see oil and coolant in your coolant reserve tank, then you have nothing to worry about. I know the problem I am dealing with in the T-Bird is not a coolant leakage problem. I remember reading in my Haynes manual about what the causes of a rough idle might be, and there in black and white it does say that one of them is a bad or leaking head gasket. However, there is an extremely long list accompanying that one cause. I think my first plan of action will be the MAF sensor cleaning, because unless the Idle Air Control valve is sticking open, it shouldn't hamper the performance once I am driving. If that doesn't work, I am going to look for a vacuum leak.
I have also done an intake manifold cleaning with a product called Seafoam. Did wonders for the power and gas mileage.

#938 of 2991 Re: Vibration Problem [ppborceb] by smoothop1

Dec 15, 2004 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: ppborceb (Dec 15, 2004 8:53 am)
ppborceb- My truck was built on Oct 29,2003. My dealer has given me 3 differant sets of new tires, and I asked them if it could be the rims and he told me they did check them. He said they were o.k. Maybe they didn't really check them, who knows. Mine is still at the dealer, I'll let you know as well. Thanks

#939 of 2991 Re: Clunking on clutch disengagement [kelhogg] by mwalker06

Dec 16, 2004 (7:24 am)

Replying to: kelhogg (Mar 05, 2001 2:27 pm)
Go to a drive shaft repaire shop and have your drive shaft spines removed and replaced this will fix the problem.Ford made a junk drive shaft for these super cab ranger trucks.I have a 97 super cab ranger with the same problem.I am having my fix today at a joint,clutch and drive line repair shop.Take it out yourself if you can it will save you some money.

Messages Page 94 of 300

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