I have a 2.3L 2004 ranger. I am planning on buying it from a good friend but lately I noticed, what I call it, a rod knock. It doesn't do it when I first start it but a few minutes after it has been running, I start hearing it. It is most noticable when it is idling and you just feather the throttle. I had a mechanic look at it and the first thing he did was take off the serpentine belt. We didn't hear ther noise. He thought it might be an accessory making noise. I put the belt back on and the noise was back. I have been driving the truck and decided to take to a dealership. I had them listen to it and at first it wouldn't make the noise but then it started again. They thought it was something internal. I notice the noise the most when I just start to roll and I let out the cluch. Just today I took the belt off again and let it warm up to almost overheating. no noise!! How can a noise like that come and go?? Anybody out there have any ideas??

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2004 Ranger. 4 cyl white 5 speed. no bells or whistles. Its my work truck and just got it two weeks ago.

May be the throw out bearing for the clutch, I had an s-10 that did that alot

I merged your two threads. next time just PM one of the mods (me, STL, Tom, Rangerjustin, Alon) and we can move the thread for ya.

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Maybe also intake runners (IMRC). I've had a 'rattling' noise when I've let in or out the clutch for several years -- 36K-120K miles. It is kind of like the old, air gulper, emissions valve.
I thought it was a clutch/throw out bearing for a while, but it's not.

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Plain old boring, stock 2.3l, 2WD XLT