idea! Fix for the most frequent problems

[sethsbseries]

I think a good thing to post up would be fixes for the three problems that us as 4cyl. 5spd. guys face! Them being coolant control valve leak, slave cylinder failure, and finally the all biggest one the............ leak at the gas tank filler hose! These three im sure most of you have faced, lets see a show of hands who has had all three or even one of the problems, and tell how it effected your ranger (bseries) and what u done about it. This is coming from a guy who has had 4 rangers and 1 bseries!

LOVE EM

 

[phatcap]

never had any of those problems...but i did notice the filler neck on mine was gettin' a little rusty so i sprayed it with some rusto and then undercoating on top of that.

 

[sethsbseries]

yeah let me be a little more specific 93-97, how many miles on your 00 model

 

[phatcap]

just rolled over 90,000 a couple weeks ago.

 

[Simple_serf]

Those aren't common 4 cylinder issues, those are common ranger issues regardless of engine.

Though I don't know what you mean by "coolant control valve leak"...

 

[sethsbseries]

well does your truck slowly leak antifreeze from time to time? Its a cheap plastic valve that runs inline with the coolant hoses and sometimes it leaks and sometimes not... But me and my brothers trucks are similar hes is a 96 ranger and mine is a 97 mazda but still if you slowly leak coolant sometimes or if you smell the coolant sometimes, run your hand along that little cheap plastic piece and see if you can feel coolant coming out!

 

[fastpakr]

Can you take a picture of the valve you're referring to?

 

[Mirage]

Ahh I know the valve well. My 96 Mazda sat for while when I was rebuilding the transmission. When I got it back together and drove it the fist time that valve, (the heater control valve) dripped like mad, but only when I shut the motor off. If I remember correctly the valve is like $17.00 at Autozone.
edit: Nope sorry, it was Kragen, and they had it in stock!

 

[rangerbum]

I've got a 97 2.3 5spd that a Pilot Bearing problem just started developing. Still driveable for quite a while, but it's on its way.

 

[tbirdsps]

I've had the slave cyliner thing. 98,000 miles I couldn't shift into first or reverse without rolling. 103,000 now. One year with a new slave and clutch. Although the clutch had only worn 1/16" in 16 years.

Tank filler tube leaking at 85,000 miles. The rubber was full of cracks. This is also a failure item for California emissions controls. For 96 and newer this will light the check engine light when it no longer holds pressure.

Never had a coolant leak.

I do have a transmission leak. It's either the tail shaft seal where it mounts to the tranny or the shift rail plugs. I haven't investigated yet.

 

[Simple_serf]

I have a couple of coolant leaks, but none are in the heating system.

The most common issue that I can think of for the Lima 4's is the IAC getting gunked up on a regular basis. but that's pretty much it. They don't have the cracking head issues of the 2.9's or the intake gasket issues of the 4.0.

They are a fairly trouble free motor in comparison to most other RBV engines. In stock form the damn things don't make enough power to hurt themselves.

As for the 5 speed, well, other than shift rail plugs, which most m5od's have issues with at some point or another, they too are pretty bulletproof behind this engine. Again, not enough power to hurt things as long as you shift properly and keep atf in them.

I have a 2.5 with 200,000 that hasn't had to have anything other than regular maintenance and a couple of IAC's. Trans gets topped off every oil change. Old girl has other issues that are going to force it's retirement pretty soon (but not before a 2900 mile roadtrip next week).

 

[Bryan22]

ya, I agree these motors are tough. When I first got mine the original owner had all kinds of wiring screwed up and a bent egr ... and on and on. But i pretty much got everything fixed and this baby had 230,000 miles and the motor runs smooth, no funny sounds or anything. i would defenitely trust this motor for the long haul.

 

['95 ranger]

slave cylinder went out when my mom was driving and i was pissed at her but then i figured out what it was, and the coolant ctrl valve leaks like a bitch

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
It almost sounds line you are describing the thermostat?

 

[sethsbseries]

well its the heater control valve inline with the heater hoses, it mysteriously leaks but its not too detectable to the human eye lol