I own a 2004 Ford Ranger 4.0 4x4. The truck in itself suits me well, I like having a pickup truck that can rip through the mud and the snow and not get stuck. It also allows me to drive down the highway without having to pull off at every other exit for fuel.
When parked next to something at idling speeds I could hear a slight rattling noise coming from under the hood. It was only audible when parked next to something so that sound waves could bounce off and come back towards me. If my window was up or the music was somewhat loud I couldn't hear it at all, and the truck ran great so I didn't pull my hair out worrying about it to much.
Finally, it got gradually worse and I had a week where I was going on vacation and rather then have the truck sit in my driveway I figured i'd finally let it sit at the dealer's lot for a week so they could figure out what was going on with it. Well, the ford engine is chain driven. Timing belts are meant to be replaced. Timing chains are not life limited parts and supposedly built to last. Except ford built the guide for the timing chain out of plastic. As the chain rubs up against the plastic it wears it down, until the guide actually breaks off. You hear the chain sliding past where the guide used to be and grinding against the chain tensioner at low idle speeds. If you give it gas the chain tightens up and the noise goes away. Since the chain is not meant to fail, it is NOT easy to get too.
Ford quoted me @ $3,100 to fix this since they have to pull the engine. For that price I could get a used engine with 50,000 less miles on it put in. I don't want to risk putting money into this truck, or buying an engine that could have the same problem. Not to mention, I had one other ranger and the transmission failed on me. I'm looking to trade it in for a tacoma... basically the same truck with a much better reputation
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I own a 2004 Ford Ranger 4.0 4x4. The truck in itself suits me well, I like having a pickup truck that can rip through the mud and the snow and not get stuck. It also allows me to drive down the highway without having to pull off at every other exit for fuel.
When parked next to something at idling speeds I could hear a slight rattling noise coming from under the hood. It was only audible when parked next to something so that sound waves could bounce off and come back towards me. If my window was up or the music was somewhat loud I couldn't hear it at all, and the truck ran great so I didn't pull my hair out worrying about it to much.
Finally, it got gradually worse and I had a week where I was going on vacation and rather then have the truck sit in my driveway I figured i'd finally let it sit at the dealer's lot for a week so they could figure out what was going on with it. Well, the ford engine is chain driven. Timing belts are meant to be replaced. Timing chains are not life limited parts and supposedly built to last. Except ford built the guide for the timing chain out of plastic. As the chain rubs up against the plastic it wears it down, until the guide actually breaks off. You hear the chain sliding past where the guide used to be and grinding against the chain tensioner at low idle speeds. If you give it gas the chain tightens up and the noise goes away. Since the chain is not meant to fail, it is NOT easy to get too.
Ford quoted me @ $3,100 to fix this since they have to pull the engine. For that price I could get a used engine with 50,000 less miles on it put in. I don't want to risk putting money into this truck, or buying an engine that could have the same problem. Not to mention, I had one other ranger and the transmission failed on me. I'm looking to trade it in for a tacoma... basically the same truck with a much better reputation
- kstover, Ringoes, NJ, US