3.0

PlumCrazy · Apr 3, 2009

I just picked up a 94 Ranger with a 3.0 in it. I have always been a 4 banger guy, so my question is, what are some things I should watch out for on this motor? It has almost 200,000 miles on it and I am planning on swapping in turboed 2.3 at some point, but in the meantime I would like run 3.0 for a while.

I had a buddy tell me it was the worst motor he ever had, and then I read in the tech article that it is built to last for a long time. What do yall think of the 3.0 over all?

-plumcrazy

graff104 · Apr 3, 2009

I have the '94 3.0 also like you know. Im at 231,xxx miles and running strong

I have had a few sensors go bad had to replace plugged injectors and the usual tune up stuff but besides that its been great.

RumpRanger98 · Apr 3, 2009

From what Ive heard from many on here and my cousin, mechanic for 20+ years, These 3.0 will last a long long time with regular maintanence

98whitewood · Apr 3, 2009

Had 200k on my 91 before I sold it. Never had any issues. Just regular maintenance.

mls12 · Apr 3, 2009

I have a 1997 3.0, it only has 80,000 miles on it but I have never had any problems.

fleck · Apr 3, 2009

Worst motor he ever had? What did it do to him? LOL.

I think everyone here will tell you about the Vulcan's legendary reliability. I got mine beaten down and worn and did just about every thing you can think of (see sig) to get it all fixed. But hey, it wasn't well maintained and now I think I've got most of the work that this truck will need for several tens of thousands of miles.

PlumCrazy · Apr 4, 2009

Good to know, I dont have a alternator or belt on it yet, so I havnt had it out on the road yet. It starts and runs, but I only had it running for about 2 min before it ran out of gas. It might turn out to be a nice little truck for 150 bucks

All I have had to do was put all the fuses and relays back in,rig up a upper rad hose and stick in battery. The truck was bound for the scrap yard and I asked how much they wanted for it, and it has a clean title (now in my name)

organic · Apr 4, 2009

For 150, I think you scored pretty good on that one. Like stated above it really depends on how it was treated before, but I love my 3.0 it just turned 150K and besides the regular maintenance it has run just as strong as it did when I bought it at 80K. I'm just glad I have the manual tranny, this engine loves to rev and the auto wouldn't do it justice.

slycer2002 · Apr 4, 2009

I have owned my 92 3.0 for almost 15 years, and in that time, I'd say I've had to do maybe, MAYBE, $1,000 in emergency maintenance. Total. The biggest issue was in 2001 when I was moving from Washington State back home to Illinois. I got 200 miles from where I started and I blew the rear main seal. $404 later, I was back on the road. 30 miles later, I blew the front pump seal on the transmission. Another $323, and I was rolling yet again. That one has always seemed a little fishy to me, but I wasn't going to argue when I still had 1900 miles to go before I was back in my home territory. Aside from that, I've had to replace a couple of starters. That's pretty much it. I love my little Ranger, and she'll be mine until the day I die. Or she dies. Whichever comes first.

3.0

PlumCrazy

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graff104

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RumpRanger98

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98whitewood

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mls12

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fleck

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PlumCrazy

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organic

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slycer2002

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