Need HELP: Sounds like high RPM

[archb]

Hello everyone, I just bought my first Ranger. Its a '98 XLT V6 5-Speed, Flair Side. I love the truck and runs good. I only have one question. When I'm driving, expecially in first and second gear, the engine sounds like it is at 4-5k RPM but the tack reads 2-3k. What might be causing this?

Any and all help will be greatful!!

Thanks in advance, Brandon

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The fan clutch might be locked up, when that happens it sounds kind of like a jet at low speeds before road noise can drown it out as you speed up.

 

[archb]

ok, it does sound a lot like a fan. How can I check this and what is involved with fixing/replacing it?

 

[dougs3.0L98]

i don't have a clutch fan anymore but when i did it didn't let go until around 2500 rpms. nothing was wrong with mine it was working fine.

 

[archb]

It sounds like a loud fan that is right at the drivers feet. The sound accurs when I'm driving, and when I first start the truck up.

 

[Earl43P]

It is normal for the first minute or so of driving.
Should quiet after that.

Sounds like your fan clutch is always locked.
Try to spin it with the engine off, should spin with light resistance. Should also be able to stop it with a piece of stiff cardboard at idle. If not, replace the fan clutch.

You need to know which engine you have to replace it. 3.0 has reverse threads so righty=loosey. 4.0 is regular thread, lefty=loosey.

This will help: http://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2/showthread.php?t=61346

 

[archb]

its loud all the time

 

[MAKG]

At the driver's feet?

Doesn't sound like a fan clutch to me.

But it DOES sound like an exhaust leak. Or maybe a noisy transmission.

 

[archb]

i look about the exhaust leak, but don't sound that way to me. it really sounds like a very loud fan or that i'm running around 4-5k RPM

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It could be leaking at the manifold where it joins the pipe, and once it gets warmed up enough things expand and it self seals. If it is small all the noise you will get is a whooshy sound.

I would check the fan clutch anyway, it is easy to do.

 

[archb]

The sound is in direct correlation with the tack and when I'm in 1st - 3rd gear from 1 - 3.5k RPM, its sounds like I'm red lining it.