Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and ShivaMcLovin
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2024
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Southern California
- Vehicle Year
- 1989
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Manual
Hi! I have a tragic backstory, a lengthy one at that. Im going to do my best to describe my situation without writing a book. Ive got a 89 ranger, 4 cyl, manual tranny, no power steering, motor has been changed out 2x. Prob over or close to a million miles on it. My grandpa bought it from dealer with nothing but the most basic options. AC was added by dealer a few weeks after he bought it. I was second owner, my dad is now the 3rd owner. My dad has unfortunately poured way too much money into it for it to be in the condition its in.
Aug 2023, it was in the shop for 5 months for a new motor. When he got it back, i noticed alot wrong. It pulled hard to the right. The rear end started leaking. And the transmission sounded like hell. I took it to his mechanic to find out what was going on. Mecahanic pointed out the front right tire was bald on the inside, metal showing in areas, and determined that was caused by driving on under inflated tires. So he added air. The truck had been driven roughly 60-70 miles since getting back. He said the leak was most likely residual fluids that accumulated in various crevases (old motor leaked every thing) and the drips will stop in a few days of driving. He cant answer for new tranny noise as he only changed seals, he didnt do anything to the tranny. I wasnt happy with his answers. But it satisfied my dad. The tranny was excessively loud, changed sounds in 5th to a higher pitched noise. It sounded to me like metal rubbing metal. Not a grinding or clatter. Not long after, a loud clatter started. It reminded me of what would be heard if there was lose bolts and the spin motoion was out of balance. It was a constant clatter like the rubbing sound, but often enough. It was also now hard to get into any gear. It used to shift smoothly. But forced would be needed for 2nd gear, sometimes 3rd. Sometimes youd have to try a couple times to get it in gear. My dad was convinced the trans was bad already and wasnt concerned. The tranny was fine before the new motor. It drove as it should. Out of nowhere, when the AC was on, belts would squeal and something started rattling loudly when the clutch was not engaged (sitting at a light, trans in neutral). Pressing and releasing the clutch would alter the noises. I cant see how thoses are related. The differntial didnt leak prior and the tires werent bald either.
A few weeks ago, the tranny sounded like a rock tumbler. No loss of power or issues when turning. But clearly something wasnt right. A few days ago, i used his truck for an errand and didnt get far. When i started it up, the trans was silent. I was alarmed and drove gingerly. Then i started losing power about 3 miles down the road. Not a significant drop, but noticable. Went about 10 total miles. Had no power in 2nd or 3rd. If i let up on the gas, it would gain some power, but i never got passed 25 mph. Most of the roads are inclined, and that was hard to get up. The truck is back in the shop. His mechanic diagnosed it as a failed cat con. He said its literally crumbling apart. He also said no tranny issues at all. Minor gasket replacement in differential will stop leak.
My question....is this all plausible? I dont trust the mechanic at all. My dad does. So he returns without hesitation. I know trivial amounts about cars. But this just doesnt add up to me. Gas milage was 21-22mpg, without fail, checked at every fill up. No sulfar smell. No smoking. Instant power loss, not gradually.
Sorry for the book!
Aug 2023, it was in the shop for 5 months for a new motor. When he got it back, i noticed alot wrong. It pulled hard to the right. The rear end started leaking. And the transmission sounded like hell. I took it to his mechanic to find out what was going on. Mecahanic pointed out the front right tire was bald on the inside, metal showing in areas, and determined that was caused by driving on under inflated tires. So he added air. The truck had been driven roughly 60-70 miles since getting back. He said the leak was most likely residual fluids that accumulated in various crevases (old motor leaked every thing) and the drips will stop in a few days of driving. He cant answer for new tranny noise as he only changed seals, he didnt do anything to the tranny. I wasnt happy with his answers. But it satisfied my dad. The tranny was excessively loud, changed sounds in 5th to a higher pitched noise. It sounded to me like metal rubbing metal. Not a grinding or clatter. Not long after, a loud clatter started. It reminded me of what would be heard if there was lose bolts and the spin motoion was out of balance. It was a constant clatter like the rubbing sound, but often enough. It was also now hard to get into any gear. It used to shift smoothly. But forced would be needed for 2nd gear, sometimes 3rd. Sometimes youd have to try a couple times to get it in gear. My dad was convinced the trans was bad already and wasnt concerned. The tranny was fine before the new motor. It drove as it should. Out of nowhere, when the AC was on, belts would squeal and something started rattling loudly when the clutch was not engaged (sitting at a light, trans in neutral). Pressing and releasing the clutch would alter the noises. I cant see how thoses are related. The differntial didnt leak prior and the tires werent bald either.
A few weeks ago, the tranny sounded like a rock tumbler. No loss of power or issues when turning. But clearly something wasnt right. A few days ago, i used his truck for an errand and didnt get far. When i started it up, the trans was silent. I was alarmed and drove gingerly. Then i started losing power about 3 miles down the road. Not a significant drop, but noticable. Went about 10 total miles. Had no power in 2nd or 3rd. If i let up on the gas, it would gain some power, but i never got passed 25 mph. Most of the roads are inclined, and that was hard to get up. The truck is back in the shop. His mechanic diagnosed it as a failed cat con. He said its literally crumbling apart. He also said no tranny issues at all. Minor gasket replacement in differential will stop leak.
My question....is this all plausible? I dont trust the mechanic at all. My dad does. So he returns without hesitation. I know trivial amounts about cars. But this just doesnt add up to me. Gas milage was 21-22mpg, without fail, checked at every fill up. No sulfar smell. No smoking. Instant power loss, not gradually.
Sorry for the book!
