166k 3.0l v6

dehcamster · #1 09-21-2011, 04:03 PM

im looking to buy a ranger with 166k on it. whats the average life expectancy of these trucks engines? i know they can go on for longer, but would this be worth buying?

knightmare1015 · #2 09-21-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dehcamster

im looking to buy a ranger with 166k on it. whats the average life expectancy of these trucks engines? i know they can go on for longer, but would this be worth buying?

Is there a history report on the vehicle by any chance? Usually the 3.0 needs rebuilding at certain intervals. It really depends on how well it was maintained.

djfllmn · #3 09-21-2011, 04:29 PM

they have been known to warp heads, blow head gaskets and if the cam sync goes south so does your motor...just to be safe if you do buy it throw a new cam sync in it...and get that from ford all the other ones are junk...but if you can find a 4.0 get the 4.0

dehcamster · #4 09-21-2011, 04:37 PM

ok cool thanks for the info

djfllmn · #5 09-21-2011, 04:38 PM

what does the rest of the truck look like? if its in good shape then the chances are pretty high they did the scheduled maintance on it

dehcamster · #6 09-21-2011, 04:43 PM

http:/http://www.lemonfree.com/1FTCR15UXRPC01610.html

ya heres the link for it

djfllmn · #7 09-21-2011, 04:44 PM

link no work

knightmare1015 · #8 09-21-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

they have been known to warp heads, blow head gaskets and if the cam sync goes south so does your motor...just to be safe if you do buy it throw a new cam sync in it...and get that from ford all the other ones are junk...but if you can find a 4.0 get the 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

what does the rest of the truck look like? if its in good shape then the chances are pretty high they did the scheduled maintance on it

Yep. That was the part I was thinking of, but I couldn't think of the name of it. Shortly after the Cam Sync went bad on my first engine, it dropped a rod and locked up when the tech got a little impatient and goosed the throttle a bit. It was a scary sound to say the least. I'm now on my 4th engine as we speak because after that first engine blew, Geico's part and engine supplier sent me 2 polished turds in less than 2 months. But yeah if it looks really clean then chances are someone did take very good care in terms of maintence.

dehcamster · #9 09-21-2011, 04:48 PM

ya im only 17 so like this is a really good deal for me and hopefully everything looks good on the engine. i dont really have that kinda money to spend on a new engine or a whole lot of parts for it so im just looking for something that looks good, runs smooth and has a clean tittle that has been well maintained

djfllmn · #10 09-21-2011, 04:51 PM

dude if you can avoid the 3.0 at all costs...you will get the same MPG as a 4.0 ranger...the 3.0 is too small of a motor for the ranger IMO

knightmare1015 · #11 09-21-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

dude if you can avoid the 3.0 at all costs...you will get the same MPG as a 4.0 ranger...the 3.0 is too small of a motor for the ranger IMO

I agree and I've owned a 3.0 for nearly 8 years (will be 8 years this coming march). The 3.0 is only built for reliabilty at best. The 4.0 is a beast compared to the 3.0 and yet gets the same mpgs if not just a shade more than the 3.0. The 3.0 is only good for T-buckets, and smaller vehicles such as the Fiesta because of their low vehicle weight. The Ranger either needs a 4.0 or a V8 because of its size and weight.

Skylark65 · #12 09-21-2011, 06:21 PM

at least with a 3.slow he doesn't have to worry about getting in too much trouble

RevPaul · #13 09-21-2011, 07:40 PM

I have over 226 thousand miles on my ranger. I have been the only driver and change oil every 2000 miles. I did lose a valve spring while travelling home from Branson, MO one year. Got laid up at a friend's place for 5 days while the local Ford garage sent to Chicago for a spring. The valve was bent and it ran badly but got us home. Seated a new valve shortly after and it has gone on to perform very well since then. Replaced timing chain not long ago when an inspection of the original showed it was time for a change. Otherwise, this ranger has been a good one, not nickel and diming me to death. The only other things I have done to it was a replacing of the water pump and we put in a new clutch and slave cylinder.

If this ranger was treated well, it has the possibility of serving you well for a lot of miles. My truck is in such good shape that I would consider replacing the engine with a 4.0 if the need arises.

I get 23.25 mpg on the highway with my 3.0 engine and 5 spd stick.

Chargerondavins · #14 09-21-2011, 07:42 PM

My old 3.0 (1992 2wd) had 465k on original engine and tranny. Dead serious. All highway, but still.

lovemud · #15 09-21-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

they have been known to warp heads, blow head gaskets and if the cam sync goes south so does your motor...just to be safe if you do buy it throw a new cam sync in it...and get that from ford all the other ones are junk...but if you can find a 4.0 get the 4.0

are you talking bout the Cam Angle Sensor?

i am redoing my heads now. one cracked and i think one is warped and i got 85,000 on my 2000 so just watch what you get