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  #1  
Old 08-11-2011, 05:54 AM
NaCL NaCL is offline
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Default Engine revs really high at startup

Hey all,
New to the forum and new to Ford Rangers. I just purchased a '97 Ranger Splash, 4 cylinder, auto, regular cab, 116K miles, non AC....

I've had it for 3 days, and so far it's great. It did fine on the ride home (about 45 min). I did notice though, when i test drove it, when I started it yesterday and this morning, as soon as it started, the engine revved way up for about 2 to 3 seconds, and I heard a sort of loud clattering noise, like valves rattling or something....but it then slowed right down into a smooth idle. It idles fine after that and accelerates smoothly. The night I bought it, I drove it to a friend's house and let it sit for about an hour. When i started it up again, it didn't do it. So I think it's only happening when the engine's stone cold. Seems like a minor quirk, rather than a major concern, but is it something I need to worry about? Would it be something like the IAC?

BTW, I am also new to fuel injected vehicles. I've only ever owned cars with carbs, so it's all new to me.
Thanks for any ideas or info.
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  #2  
Old 08-11-2011, 06:02 AM
ColinS ColinS is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

thats normal op. the idle just idles up high to warm up. its like using your choke on the carbs
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1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 reg. cab 4.0l 5spd, 2" SL , Summit Nomads 15x8, 30x9.5x15 Trail Digger M/T's, cab lights, spray in bed liner, custom tube bumper,

1994 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3l 5spd ext. cab. the loaner truck

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  #3  
Old 08-11-2011, 08:54 AM
NaCL NaCL is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

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Originally Posted by ColinS View Post
thats normal op. the idle just idles up high to warm up. its like using your choke on the carbs
Thanks for the reply. Any idea about the clattering noise though? It's more of a really loud click, but it's definitely nothing i have ever encountered, even with the initial idle surge of a carb/choke setup.
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  #4  
Old 08-11-2011, 09:29 AM
FordDude1991 FordDude1991 is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

could be your injectors
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2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 Sport 4.0L "Dixie"
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  #5  
Old 08-11-2011, 10:05 AM
ColinS ColinS is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

noisy injectors or loose valves
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Colin S. AGE: 18
1994 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 reg. cab 4.0l 5spd, 2" SL , Summit Nomads 15x8, 30x9.5x15 Trail Digger M/T's, cab lights, spray in bed liner, custom tube bumper,

1994 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3l 5spd ext. cab. the loaner truck

1987 Camaro z28 383 to much to list

https://www.facebook.com/colinshriver

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...anger-4x4.html
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  #6  
Old 08-18-2011, 06:43 AM
NaCL NaCL is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColinS View Post
noisy injectors or loose valves
The noise goes away though....wouldn't loose valves be loud all the time? Someone on another forum suggested it could be the idle air control valve...might look into that.
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  #7  
Old 08-18-2011, 05:29 PM
Mikeys Mikeys is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

Ticking soon as you start it stone cold means no oil yet but that should only be for 1-2 seconds. Make sure the oil is changed and use 5W-30 full synthetic. Engines LOVE synthetic and you will hear less noise and engine will run alot smoother. Better mileage too. The engine rev is normal at stone cold.
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  #8  
Old 08-18-2011, 05:57 PM
schultzkenneth schultzkenneth is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

My '97 4cyl will hit around 3 grand on the tach when you start it up. As far as the rattling, I don't know what to tell ya. Does the rattle go away completely or does it come back when you hit the RPM it hits during start up?
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  #9  
Old 08-19-2011, 08:15 AM
NaCL NaCL is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikeys View Post
Ticking soon as you start it stone cold means no oil yet but that should only be for 1-2 seconds. Make sure the oil is changed and use 5W-30 full synthetic. Engines LOVE synthetic and you will hear less noise and engine will run alot smoother. Better mileage too. The engine rev is normal at stone cold.
That's exactly what it sounds like. Come to think of it, it sounds like the badly adjusted valves on my old Dart, except that it does go away after 2 seconds, 3 tops. It never happens when running, idling, etc, just at initial startup when cold.

I'll try changing the oil and see if that does the trick. Like i said, just bought it, so who knows what the P.O. put in there. The oil is full and clean, and the filter looks new, but it couldn't hurt to try. I'll also watch the oil pressure needle and see if that jumps.



----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by schultzkenneth View Post
My '97 4cyl will hit around 3 grand on the tach when you start it up. As far as the rattling, I don't know what to tell ya. Does the rattle go away completely or does it come back when you hit the RPM it hits during start up?
No tach unfortunately, but it does go away after 1 to 2 seconds and doesn't come back unless truck's been sitting for a while. Rattle kinda sounds like valves. It's hard to describe.
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  #10  
Old 08-19-2011, 10:10 AM
schultzkenneth schultzkenneth is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

Hmm, personally, unless it really bothers you i wouldn't worry about it, Older vehicles have a lot of quirks. Mine for example doesn't like to go into reverse when it's first started up.
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1997 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.3L I4, Auto, 2wd, Regular Cab, 91k miles. 7.5in 4.10 Open Rear Axle

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger View Post
Experience is useless if it is wrong, and there's a lot of experienced morons.
Keep the air in the spare, and the bag in the wheel - Adam Carolla
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  #11  
Old 08-20-2011, 10:48 AM
NaCL NaCL is offline
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Default Re: Engine revs really high at startup

Quote:
Originally Posted by schultzkenneth View Post
Hmm, personally, unless it really bothers you i wouldn't worry about it, Older vehicles have a lot of quirks. Mine for example doesn't like to go into reverse when it's first started up.
I hear ya...doesn't really bother me, unless I thought it was gonna do damage over the long term. I did notice that the oil pressure gauge pegs at zero, then as soon as the noise stops, it shoots up to normal. So it definitely seems like it's an oil pressure issue. I'm gonna change the oil and get a high quality filter and see if that helps.
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