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Ford Ranger 4.0 Engine Problems
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Comments
Sorry to hear about your engines. You should be able to get them replaced under warranty with no hassle.
Try a K&N or KKM air charger kit and a chip. I have these on my 4.0 5spd 4x4 with a limited slip 3.73 rearend. Don't expect gut wrenching, neck snapping response, but you will notice a difference.
I know that you sometimes run a superchip in your Ranger. My ignorant question is where is this chip physically located? Engine compartment? Under the dash? I'd like to be able to find it. Thanks...
Brakes: Fed Gov mandates that truck brakes do not have to be as good as car brakes. Translation: trucks need more distance to stop than cars. On the highway, I hang back at least 4 car lengths from whatever is in front of me.
5 speed automatic transmission: I was told by a ford mechanic that the 5 spd in the 4 spd with added electronics that make use of the torque converter to reduce RPM by 200 to 300. How true this is...I don't know.
1. Heating/AC system failed and had to be fixed.
2. Brights don't work. They are getting fixed next week.
Other than that the truck drives great.
Maybe I am just lucky, but mine is running great..
Lucky Elvis
3.0lv6, Honestly I was happy with it until about
30,000 miles, around then, I started having what I thought were minor problems, My ABS and airbag lights came on at different times, I brought it in to the dealer and they replaced some kind of sending unit under warranty, no problem, I know machines are just that and they did take good care of me, at first, then at 34,000 miles, the A/C went out in the middle of summer in Texas! It took
almost a week to get the part they needed, all the time I was sweating to death, they would not give me a loaner and instead kept telling me it would be in the next day, anyway, I let that go too. Then at 37,000 miles the engine started knocking like it was low on oil, the noise had been there as long as I could remember, but it was never this loud and I thought it was normal. Finally I brought it in and had to fight the dealer to get Ford to pay for even the check out to see what was wrong, much less pay to fix it! I finally had to get the Ford rep out to look at the engine, and they graciously decided to fix my engine. I am not hard on my vehicles, but not easy either, I take them in to the dealer for all recomended service.
Well I was totally unhappy with the truck to say the least, but I figured it was just a fluke, and I was dumb enough to trade it in on a 98 ranger with the 4.0l engine, I figured maybe the changes and the different engine would be better, then with 18,000 mile son it I had the diesel sound that has been mentioned here before and a differential leak, I finally got fed up, I asked a friend of mine at work if he had trouble with his F150, he told me he always had troubles with his fords in one way or another, but you had to put up with it for the privellage of driving a ford! Well I can't stand that privellage anymore. I traded the ranger in 48 hours after the dealer got it out of their shop on a 2000 frontier desert runner, I just paid a little more than I did for my Ranger and got more equipment, plus the higher stance, better warranty, but from what I have read I won't need it. SO far I have been totally happy with it, the V6 is quieter, smoother, it rides better and feels like it has more power on the highway. I will never set foot on a ford lot again, and if you guys are smart, run to the nearest nissan or toyota dealer ASAP before your trade in falls too much more!
Nissan, you better take a look around the Edmunds chats you may be surprised. Also, search the web, Nissans are not as bullet proof as you may wish to think. Anyway, enjoy your purchase.
I did spend the time my ranger was in the shop searching every where on the web comparing reliability. Sitting at home gave me a lot of time
The more I read, the angrier I got because I found every site rated the nissans and toyotas higher in reliability than the ranger, I just wish I had read all of that first, I would have bought the tacoma.
I purchased a Y2K Ranger XL with Sport Appearance
package. I'm very pleased wit the little truck and its 4.0 l engine because is very responsive and purrs like a cat. After two weeks of the purchase, Ford Motor Co. announced a rebate for new buyers and they got the truck for $1500 less. Is that fair? Can I file a complain in the dealer? Could the salesman give some advice about that? I'm really disappointed with that.
Is really sad that Ford Motor Co.
I purchased a Y2K Ranger XL with Sport Appearance
package. I'm very pleased wit the little truck and its 4.0 l engine because is very responsive and purrs like a cat. After two weeks of the purchase, Ford Motor Co. announced a rebate for new buyers and they got the truck for $1500 less. Is that fair? Can I file a complain in the dealer? Could the salesman give some advice about that? I'm really disappointed with that.
sorry bud, that's just the way it goes, most likely the dealer did not know there was going to be a rebate announcement, so nothing you can really do.
Is this a good engine? Is it the same as the
low tech engines in the Rangers currently?
I have heard alot about bad auto trannys in
fords but what about sticks? Anybody got any
advice?
If you do decide to buy it, '97 may be the year to buy. Most of the folks with problems seem to be 98 or later.
I have a '97 Mazda B4000. I now have about 25,000 miles on it now and it's been bullet proof. No pings, knocks, rattles or whatever. However, reading all these posts has sure got my fingers crossed.
The dealer said he put in a "new" engine but I found out later it was re-built.On the first oil change on this motor I could cover the palm of my hand with metal shavings from the used oil. One week later this motor also went. Now the dealer says I will get a "new" motor that was destined for the assembly line and pulled to the side just for me, I can't wait. When I get the truck back it will be traded (if they will take it)on a new Chevy S10 Xtreme.
it is unwieldy to manage, and difficult to use for "newbies." There is entirely TOO much topic duplication, so I will be doing some SERIOUS topic consolidation in the next few weeks, getting us down to not more than 2-3 topics per vehicle type, and ultimately down to 200 topics or less.
THIS weeks consolidation candidates are: Tundra's, Tacoma's and Rangers.
In that vein,please consolidate this Ranger topic to Ford Ranger II and continue these discussions there.
Thanks!
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host