Is there a ranger year where i have the least chance of getting the “death rattle”

[marklbc]

Hey guys,
i’m interested in buying a ranger as my second vehicle since my old car was free and is on its way out. Been seeing the timing chain issue is common and is a huge pain to fix and/or expensive if you buy the labor. Was interested in buying a 2008-2011 and wondering if i’ll get hit by this problem if i buy a 4.0, 3.0, or the 4 cyl on these years of vehicle. Any help or suggestions ??

 

[Dirtman]

The 4.0 timing chain issues were resolved by 2005. They are still hard to work on and require pulling the engine to service but the hydraulic tensioner was redesigned so premature failure was no longer a big issue.

The 3.0 and 2.3 never had any timing chain issues to begin with.

 

[marklbc]

Thanks brother. do you know how they resolved it?

 

[Dirtman]

They used less shitty parts...

 

[19Walt93]

They used less shitty parts...

Those were superior, German engineered timing chain tensioners and cassettes you're talking about. You remember the Germans- they started 2 wars at home and lost them both.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Those were superior, German engineered timing chain tensioners and cassettes you're talking about. You remember the Germans- they started 2 wars at home and lost them both.

*with the nicest equipment...

 

[RonD]

3.0l OHV Vulcans last year was 2008, good reliable engine but under powered

2.3l DOHC Duratec engine is reliable, 2001-2011, turbo version is used in the new 2019/20 Rangers
DOHC's will have a long timing chain so that would be a failure point

4.0l SOHC engine had 2 long chain tensioners that had bad springs from 1997-2003
Tensioners were redesigned in 2001/2 and should be in the 2003/4, and up, engines
This was never a 100% failure rate, just a high failure rate
And this engine design does have TWO long timing chains and any time you have long timing chains there WILL BE some timing chain issues, goes with the territory, and times TWO in this case

2008 and up 4.0l SOHC is a safe bet, but................I would plan on installing the two long chain tensioners every 100k miles to be on the safe side, same as changing the oil or brakes or ??, better safe than sorry
They are not hard to change
Only use Motorcraft brand tensioners

If you hear the rattle, its too late, a chain guide is broken, so engine needs to be pulled out

 

[JohnnyO]

'04-up rarely have issues. Good for 200k+ as long as the oil has been changed regularly.

 

[marklbc]

Thanks guys will make sure to change tensioners every 100k (doesn’t seem hard to do) and keep up with regular maintenance as usual. Hyped to soon be whippin a ranger

 

[Ranger850]

I love when @RonD and @19Walt93 both ansewr a question. I feel like i sat in a tech class for free.

 

[cbxer55]

My 2007 with the 4.0 has 116,000+ miles. There's no rattle whatsoever. Really quiet engine, except for the intake noise. Which I like.

I'm totally happy with my 98 3.0, which will have 168,000 soon. Far as I'm concerned, mine isn't under-powered. Towed a heavy trailer from CA to OK in 2002, never even slowed down going up the big grades in Arizona and New Mexico.

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks guys will make sure to change tensioners every 100k (doesn’t seem hard to do) and keep up with regular maintenance as usual. Hyped to soon be whippin a ranger

Before you say that, check out fordtechmakuloco’s video on youtube for the 4.0 SOHC. It wouldn’t hurt to look at other engines for the procedure as well but the 4.0 SOHC is it’s own special animal when it comes to timing chains.

I don’t want to scare you off but I also want to make sure you are fully aware of what you could be facing if you need to change those.

 

[Dirtman]

I love when @RonD and @19Walt93 both ansewr a question. I feel like i sat in a tech class for free.