2008 V-6 Vibration

[superakcraig]

I am an owner of a 2008 Ford Ranger XLT Excab 3.0 V6 that I purchased in March 2008.

Since I have owned it I have been experiencing a “harmonic vibration” in my steering wheel and my foot pedals. The best way for me to describe this sound is have you ever spun a toy wagon wheel that wasn't greased very well, it spins really good and the fast speed but as it slows down, it tends to vibrate on its axle. This vibration occurs when I am on the road driving or just setting still.

There are two factors that appear to be causing this vibration.

The first is the RPMs of the truck have to be between 1000 and 1300 RPMs, the second, the air conditioning has to be running. When the AC is not running, no vibration. When I role up to a stop sign with the AC running, the vibration is felt. When I am sitting still and the RPMs are floating between 1000 and 1300 RPMs, the vibration is felt.

I have taken this to 3 different Ford dealerships including the one I bought it from and was told it was normal (I guess it is normal since the AC appeared to be working correctly). Finally at the forth dealership I got a friend of mine (who is the Service Manager) take a look at it and they decided to replace the AC for me. Well to my surprise, the sound and vibration is still there.

Does anyone have any idea what this might be? I am taking it back to the dealer this Saturday to show the tech the sound I am hearing so he better understands it.

Any thoughts???

 

[jeffro184]

well i am a ford service tech, and i have to lean to this sounding normal. 3.0 have some different vibrations to them. the have lack of power and a/c robs alot. without driving it is hard to tell, but i would say normal. sorry

 

[superakcraig]

well i am a ford service tech, and i have to lean to this sounding normal. 3.0 have some different vibrations to them. the have lack of power and a/c robs alot. without driving it is hard to tell, but i would say normal. sorry

Thanks jeffro for your input. What if I told you that this sound is louder when it is hotter outside. In other words, in the morning when driving to work (with the AC is on of course), the noise is not as noticeable. It seems louder and the vibration is harder in the afternoon when it is warmer outside. Is it possible that one of the pulleys is making this noise? What about the motor mounts? Just thoughts, as you are the expert.

If this is indeed what I am going to have to deal with, I hate to say it but I may be trading it in on something different and by different I mean something other than Ford. This is my 3rd Ranger (my first new one) and I have never experienced this before. Thats what I get for buying a new one!!

 

[dirtpoor]

i bought my 07 3.0 new my truck has no vibration at all