2008 Ranger - PROBLEM!!!

[One Sick Puppy]

2008 Ford Ranger XL 2.3L Manual Transmission

I've only own my Ranger for about 7 weeks now (1600km on it) and it has developed the following problem:

When I park the vehicle on a relatively steep (paved) road, turn the engine off, and put the truck into 1st or REV, depending on how steep the incline, the truck will slowly "slip" out of gear for moment - enough to roll forward/backward about an inch or two, then stop and continue to do this indefinitely. This behavior occurs whether I'm on an incline or decline, or any gear, including REV.

Having observed this problem, I started listening attentively to the truck when running and it seems to also be making a faint rattling noise when beginning to move from a stop and when shifting from 1st to 2nd. It almost sounds like a that diesel engine rattle, but faint.

The other thing I've noticed since I first bought the truck is that the clutch pedal requires a lot more depression to engage than my 22 year old Dodge Aries K. I would estimate that I need to depress the pedal at least 75% before I can reliably engage the clutch. Is this normal?

It is normal for me to always park a manual car/truck in gear. Sometimes I engage the parking break, too, but not always. I'll be using the parking break from now on.

Obviously, I need my truck serviced, right? And I will call the dealer service dept. next business day. But, wtf? Did I get a lemon?

 

[Sunk]

My truck does this too. The engine is slowly being turned over by the tires as the truck wants to roll down the hill. Use the parking brake, or find a rock. Or both.

 

[Shoeboy]

Umm...Every single manual vehicle I have ever owned has done that, including 2 Rangers. Just start using the parking brake and no problems will occur. Park brake is your only option here.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I usually don't have that type of problem on the old 96' 2.3L with a 5-speed. It will start to turn over the engine if I do leave it in 3rd or higher on a steep hill.

Word of the wise. You should always set the parking brake when leaving the truck in parked. Its what I always do before leaving the cab.

 

[Captain Ledd]

2.3L 5speed here. Does the same thing. I always set my parking brake. Unfortunately I've noticed that it doesn't always work in reverse, or at least much less so.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

So, this is normal? Should I still call the shop?

more questions:

- How far should I have to depress the clutch pedal before the clutch engages?

- How far should I depress the parking break? Enough to engage or 100%?

- If I depress the parking break 100% all the time, will the cables get stretched and begin to lose effectiveness?

 

[Captain Ledd]

So, this is normal? Should I still call the shop?

more questions:

- How far should I have to depress the clutch pedal before the clutch engages?

- How far should I depress the parking break? Enough to engage or 100%?

- If I depress the parking break 100% all the time, will the cables get stretched and begin to lose effectiveness?

1. I guess technically it should disengage the clutch, all vehicles are going to be different, even ones of the same make. if it's not dragging, or fully disengaging I wouldn't worry about it.

2. My Ranger is a 1997 with very, very close to 200,000 on it, mine only goes in a few clicks (about 2, not quite 3 inches).

3. I can't think if it's ever been replaced, I don't think it has. If the brakes are properly adjusted then no, I don't think they will stretch that much.

Drum brakes self adjust when stopping in reverse, I always pump mine just a touch after backing up. My parking brake pedal is pretty firm.

If it's going all the way to the floor, super easy to depress ALL the way down, or feels like it's even close to the floor, then go in and have it inspected and/or have some parts replaced. I'd think 1/2 way-ish is acceptable.

 

[rangerbum]

Thats not a problem. Thats a manual transmission. Any time you press the clutch, go all the way to the floor, It doesnt matter when it engages as long as its fully engaged, every shift. As far as the parking brake, Id say to just press it hard enough to do the job and do it surefootedly. After almost 12 years of nearly 100% parking brake, its still strong as when I got it.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Thats not a problem. Thats a manual transmission. Any time you press the clutch, go all the way to the floor, It doesnt matter when it engages as long as its fully engaged, every shift. As far as the parking brake, Id say to just press it hard enough to do the job and do it surefootedly. After almost 12 years of nearly 100% parking brake, its still strong as when I got it.

+1

Every manual trans equipped vehicle MUST use the park brake when you leave the vehicle. Thats why it's called a PARK brake.

 

[Will]

The compression is leaking out of the cylinders. You should set the brake.

I went into a shop on a hill in San Diego once in my '68 VW bus. When I came out, my bus was gone. I thought it had been stolen.

It was wheezing and thumping its way down the hill. The catch on the parking brake was busted, so I started carrying vice grips to clamp on the rod for parking in hilly areas.

Edit: I want to clarify--your truck is behaving normally. It wasn't designed with rubber o-rings to seal the cylinders against slow losses of air. Maybe one single cylinder has both valves closed ans is holding it on the hill. The engine has help from you eaving it in first to the tune of 12-1 resistance, but the parking brake is there for a reason. I'm sure the owner's guide says to put it in first of reverse and to apply the parking brake.

 

[martin]

Everything sounds normal to me.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

You guys are the best. Thanks for the help. I will certainly be changing my own parking behavior from now on. Good thing I learned this the easy way.

 

[Bill]

You should be able to put it in gear and not have it slip out. Take it to the dealer to investigate.

I have heard a rattling sound similar to what you describe in three Rangers, including mine. I've seen it mentioned on other boards, including bobistheoilguy.com. Everyone seems to think it is the valvetrain making noise due to the 5w-20 oil specified for this engine. The noise appears to diminish for those that have tried 5w-30 in this engine.

 

[Rangerman4158]

I work at the dealer and i've owned nothing but manuals thats normal there is nothing you can do to fix it but use the park brake

 

[Jspafford]

You should be able to put it in gear and not have it slip out. Take it to the dealer to investigate.

I have heard a rattling sound similar to what you describe in three Rangers, including mine. I've seen it mentioned on other boards, including bobistheoilguy.com. Everyone seems to think it is the valvetrain making noise due to the 5w-20 oil specified for this engine. The noise appears to diminish for those that have tried 5w-30 in this engine.

You are aware this is a manual transmisson. They are not meant to hold the vehicle still. What he is describing is perfectly normal.

The rattling may be caused by too low an RPM for the speed your going.