cbxer55
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2009
- Messages
- 1,865
- Reaction score
- 767
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Midwest City, Oklahoma
- Vehicle Year
- 1998
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0
- Transmission
- Automatic
98 Ranger SPORT I've owned since 2001, when it had 10,000 miles on it. Now has headed for 147,000 miles after 16 years. Troubles, yeah I've had some. Not too many of the ones on this topic though.
1. Intermittent crank but no start. Happens so infrequently I've not been able to figure out why.
2. Noisy power steering pump. Replaced it and the new one is just as bad, so I live with it.
3. Frequently eats IACs. The most recent one I put on is a Hitachi, Auto Zone's premium part. Really nice and it's lasted almost two years now. That's a record for my truck. Still noisy though. So is the one on my Lightning, so I just live with it.
4. Very small oil leak, not sure where from. Been there for many years now. Doesn't leak when running, only when stopped and parked facing downhill. Park it facing up hill, no leak. Someone told me to check the dipstick o-ring.
5. Front end needs rebuilding after 19 years, noisy clanking ball joints. Tires are still wearing good though, so I'm holding off until it's warmer.
6. The valve that routes internal air (blend door) is broken. Been that way for some years now. I know there is a way to fix it without tearing the dash out. Will look into it this year. Remove the glove box, and put a screw through the broken parts.
7. Air conditioning gave out some years ago. Don't really miss it as I prefer driving with the windows down anyways. The AC works on my Lightning, but I never use it.
I'm aware of the cam position sensor problem. Haven't had a problem with it, YET! I do, once a month, remove the sensor and hose some oil down there. Don't know if it will keep it from being a problem. Not planning on replacing it either. When the motor blows, I'll deal with it. Either scrap the truck, or deal with a new motor. Not sure now, depends on when it happens and my situation at that time.
Other than that? Still has the factory alternator, water pump and started. Back brakes were changed at 146,000 miles and still had shoe on them, changed them anyways. Drums were good and didn't need turning. Front brakes were changed at 120,000 miles and like the rear, the rotors didn't need turning. I do have some vibration at highway speeds. Assumed it was tires, but don't think so. Suspect either the drive shaft or the rear -end. Not sure. Don't drive it on the highway much, and don't drive it very far as I have the Lightning for that. Battery has been changed three times in 16 years, most recently last November.
It's a keeper, I like it. Probably couldn't get 500 bucks if I tried to sell it. So I just keep fixing what's wrong, keep the Check Engine light off, and beat on it like a red-headed stepchild.
1. Intermittent crank but no start. Happens so infrequently I've not been able to figure out why.
2. Noisy power steering pump. Replaced it and the new one is just as bad, so I live with it.
3. Frequently eats IACs. The most recent one I put on is a Hitachi, Auto Zone's premium part. Really nice and it's lasted almost two years now. That's a record for my truck. Still noisy though. So is the one on my Lightning, so I just live with it.
4. Very small oil leak, not sure where from. Been there for many years now. Doesn't leak when running, only when stopped and parked facing downhill. Park it facing up hill, no leak. Someone told me to check the dipstick o-ring.
5. Front end needs rebuilding after 19 years, noisy clanking ball joints. Tires are still wearing good though, so I'm holding off until it's warmer.
6. The valve that routes internal air (blend door) is broken. Been that way for some years now. I know there is a way to fix it without tearing the dash out. Will look into it this year. Remove the glove box, and put a screw through the broken parts.
7. Air conditioning gave out some years ago. Don't really miss it as I prefer driving with the windows down anyways. The AC works on my Lightning, but I never use it.
I'm aware of the cam position sensor problem. Haven't had a problem with it, YET! I do, once a month, remove the sensor and hose some oil down there. Don't know if it will keep it from being a problem. Not planning on replacing it either. When the motor blows, I'll deal with it. Either scrap the truck, or deal with a new motor. Not sure now, depends on when it happens and my situation at that time.
Other than that? Still has the factory alternator, water pump and started. Back brakes were changed at 146,000 miles and still had shoe on them, changed them anyways. Drums were good and didn't need turning. Front brakes were changed at 120,000 miles and like the rear, the rotors didn't need turning. I do have some vibration at highway speeds. Assumed it was tires, but don't think so. Suspect either the drive shaft or the rear -end. Not sure. Don't drive it on the highway much, and don't drive it very far as I have the Lightning for that. Battery has been changed three times in 16 years, most recently last November.
It's a keeper, I like it. Probably couldn't get 500 bucks if I tried to sell it. So I just keep fixing what's wrong, keep the Check Engine light off, and beat on it like a red-headed stepchild.
Last edited: