Dead Motor

[Jason_J]

So this is what happened last night with my 1999 3.0 Ranger, and I am really at a loss. I came out of a toll booth and stepped on it pretty hard, shifted through to 4th gear then all of a sudden the "check gauge" light came on. I looked at the gauges and the oil pressure was as low as it could go. I cut the motor off and coasted to a stop, got out and looked under the hood. Didnt really notice anything so I hopped in and hooked up my OBDII reader that I just happened to have with me and it didnt kick out any codes. So, I try to start the truck and all I am getting is a single loud starter click, not like a dead battery click, but a single loud click.....almost like the starter is engaging but not turning the flywheel. I tried to spin the motor by hand and by wrench and it seems to be seized. Most of my experience is on older vehicles, but to me it seems like maybe the oil pump went tits up and I blew the lower end. Any thoughts?



Thanks alot,
Jason

 

[Big Jim M]

For damn sure I'd be checking the battery and installing a KNOWN good one before jumping to conclusions about the oil pump and a seized engine..
Big JIm

 

[Earl43P]

When the cam synchro fails, you lose oil pump drive and it seizes.

Sorry for your loss. It's common with the Vulcan 3.0 unfortunately.

Did it squeek/chirp for a while? They usually make a warning noise many mistake for a serp belt issue.


http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/f10/what-can-we-do-about-cam-synro-problem-203433.html

 

[Jason_J]

Hey thanks, that was my first thought. Battery and alternator are both good. But like I said, its not the kind of starter click you would get from a dead battery. It's a heavy click, almost like the starter gear is slamming against the fly wheel and they flywheel wont spin. I tried another thing just a little bit ago considering I couldnt spin the crank by hand. I rolled the truck the way you would to push start it, and when I let off the clutch it just skids. The motor is definately seized, I just cant figure out why.

 

[Jason_J]

Oh crap Earl, yes it was squeaking actually, and yes I thought it was the serp or idler pulley. So my bottom end is toast? I'm not too experienced with this motor, but from what i have read it's good if cared for. But who knows what the PO did to it.

 

[Earl43P]

Taurus 3.0s are still common in the JYs.

Some say to put the RWD head gaskets in, some say you needn't.

Flex fuel? Don't let that worry you. Non-flex motors will work, with your original parts.

 

[EMB1230]

How many miles does your truck have? The cam sync USUALLY go around the 80K mark, but not always.

 

[Jason_J]

Thanks for all the knowledge guys, I feel like I should pay a bill for all the help lol. My motor has about 180k on it. Is there a list composed anywhere of compatable motors, block and heade that is....I can just swap all my components.

Thanks,
J

 

[Earl43P]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3_0-build.html

 

[Jason_J]

Thank you!!

 

[3.0ranger1227]

Hey if I'm doing a rebuild next summer should the cam synchro be on the list? and how much work is it to change?

 

[fourwheelford]

A little over an hour if you know what your doing, its not to bad but if you buy one of these trucks and don't know if its been changed then change it asap. Do your research on this site and if your mechanically inclined you can do yourself pretty easily.

 

[3.0ranger1227]

Cool thanks. I'm basically going to tear down at least to the head gaskets and replace gaskets, studs, whatever needs it. probably do some performance mods while i'm there too. might as well get it done

 

[Jason_J]

Man, I wish I would have known this ahead of time. Lookin at diagrams it looks like it would only take a half hour or so to replace. Sucks, but oh well. I'm arguing with myself about doing a 302 swap or sticking with the 3.0. Assessing from the Mustangs I have owned, a 5.0 in this light ass truck would be overkill, but......fast is good LOL!