02 Ranger Edge 3.0

[Gator bait]

241,000 original miles and owned it since 04. It ran great until recently so I just started an overhaul where needed the most. New radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat, IAC, MAF, coil, plugs, wires, and an oil change. Now she runs like the day we got her! More to do but the important stuff is done. It been a busy couple of days and hotter than a $2 pistol.

 

[pjtoledo]

your cam synchro unit has lots of miles on it, due for inspection or replacement. hint: it drives the oil pump.
did you check it?
at the very least, remove the sensor top and squirt a few drops of oil at the bottom of the shaft. the top bushing dries out and binds, that's bad.

 

[superj]

welcome, @Gator bait

that syncro unit stuff, does it apply to my 04 3.0 also? mine has over 200k

 

[pjtoledo]

yes.
I posted some pics of a worn sync drive gear a while back. maybe I can find those pics again. the teeth are quite worn.

 

[superj]

Wow!!!

 

[Gator bait]

Thanks for the tip, pjtoledo! Would that be why my oil gauge flutters once in a while, while idling? Just started doing it a week ago.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Just a fyi...

I moved this to the 3.0L forum to keep things tidy.

Carry on gents...

 

[BuckHunter]

It could be why the oil pressure jumps really not for sure. Mine was doing the same thing a couple years ago. Had a good mechanic tell me to try 5w30 in the hot summer. Said the 5w20 was a really thin oil especially in the summer months. So I ran 5w20 in the winter and 5w30 in the summer for about a year and a half. Then my synchro got to chirping and I replaced it and have been running 5w20 ever since. With no more issues. So I don't know if the synchro was just getting old or running the 5w30 in the summer was robbing it of proper lubrication. I'm sure there's guys on here that know more than me that can help you . It had 100,000 miles on it at the time. Synhro needs to be replaced every 100,000 and go Motor Craft hope this helps. And the flickering did quit with the 5w30 in it.

 

[pjtoledo]

Thanks for the tip, pjtoledo! Would that be why my oil gauge flutters once in a while, while idling? Just started doing it a week ago.

that worn gear won't affect oil pressure UNTIL IT FAILS COMPLETELY, then a sudden drop to NO oil pressure.

 

[BuckHunter]

Ok good to know didn't know for sure.

 

[superj]

3.0L Camshaft Position Sensor - Synchronizer - The Ranger Station

google brought that up

 

[mc17eln]

my oil gauge flutters once in a while

That could simply mean the oil level is low. It happened to me. Added a quart, and the needle is steady now. That reminds me to check the dipstick more often.