Ford Ranger

[Pikey2574]

I have a '98 Four Banger Ranger that has about 80,000 miles on it. It has been taken pretty good care of but since I have started towing my 14 ft. Jon boat it has been acting up. Previous to towing a boat I would notice knocking sounds coming from the engine sometimes. Yet with the boat it seems to make the noise more often. Also the ranger in a 5 spd and the past two tows I have done were a little over 200 miles. Anyone out there have a 4 cyl. Ranger for a tow vehicle? Had any of the same problems? I have been told to put premium fuel and tried it and it seemed to help.<br /><br />Thanks in Advance<br /><br />Kevin

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Ford Ranger

Is it a "Dull" knock? Lot of strain on that little four banger, even with a small boat behind. Sounds like a rod knocking, but hard to tell without hearing it. Does it do it when there is no load on the motor? kinda when you are in-between giving is gas and letting it coast? Or does it get worse the more throttle you give it? Here's a site for ranger owners, where you may get better advice from those who own them.<br /><br /> www.rangerpowersports.com

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Ford Ranger

You may want to check the archives or post to this site. I have had great luck and there seems to be no question that won't get a good answer on.<br /><br /> http://www.ford-trucks.com

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Ford Ranger

oops....

 

[JasonB]

Re: Ford Ranger

That truck should pull that boat with no problems if it is healthy. We plled a 14' jon boat with my brother's 2.0 Ranger for years. Sounds like maybe a knock sensor is out or something?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Ford Ranger

Its probably spark knock, (Detonation) My 4 liter Ranger does it on hills if I dont downshift! I tow in 4th most of the time and that takes care of it! They all seem to do it!

 

[Pikey2574]

Re: Ford Ranger

Hey Rb and Lubedude,<br /> You both pretty much said what it does exactly. Yet, it does not do it if the engine is idling or anything just when I am giving it gas and usually if I downshift it will go away. I know I have heard of rod knocking but is there a way to stop em cause in some cases when I down shift it will countine to knock (only on occasion). Also is the knocking noise actually doing any damage or as much damage as it sounds like? <br /><br />Thanks again<br /><br />Kevin

 

[JasonB]

Re: Ford Ranger

Of the 3 modern Ranger engines, my 3.0 V6 is probably the worst of the 3 for pinging and knock. Say thanks to emissions controls and the gas mixtures. You may need to clean/replace o2 sensors, clean the IAT if your 2.3 had it,a nd clean the MAF sensor. Those will help some. Hi-Octane gas can conceivably do damage since your engine isn't made for it. I have been told it is very hard on the sensors and injectors. I have also heard that a hotter coil will help, but I haven't tried it.<br /><br />As far as damaging the engine, it probably isn't causing major damage, but keep in mind it is essentially igniting teh fuel a split second early, then tries to compress the explosion. It places some extra stress on parts, but mine has been pinging for 75k miles. It has 150k on it now and runs like a top. I use it most weekends to drag my ~1800lb f'glass fishing rig. It does ping worse under the load. I just try to keep the r's up. I did seafoam my truck a couple years ago to clean out any excess carbon deposits, and it helped quite a bit.

 

[oneforu2nv]

Re: Ford Ranger

I also have a 98 Ford Ranger with a 3.0 in it and it does knock when i tow my boat but it also does it with out a load. I live in southwestern NY and I find that higher octane make it run better and also if I buy any gas from PA it runs better and also the gas is cheeper but i have no problem in towing my 87 sea ray pachanga that weights about 3500 on the trailor and a full tank of gas.