07 Ranger 2.3L engine vibrations

[djevans]

30 day old Ranger in shop 4 times with engine exhaust vibration. Does anyone know of a fix for this problem?
Dealer installed engine exhaust damper pn 5G209 per TSB 03-20-7. Not much improvement. Still vibrates thru steering wheel and foot feed. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks

[xlt4me]

The 2.3L I4 is not a silky smooth engine. The version that goes into the Rangers and B2300s is missing the balance shafts that would otherwise cancel out the vibration. I was not happy with it when I got my 2004 Ranger but it doesn't bother me now that I know it is 'normal'. I only notice it now when I'm stopped at a lite etc. and it's not bad enough to cause any rattles in the exhaust system. Maybe you need to sit in someone else's 2.3L to get a better comparison of what's a normal amount of vibration.

[99F150]

Interesting, I have that engine in a 2005 Escape and it is smooth as silk. The Escape is FWD though so engine sits sideways.

I drove a 2001 Ranger with this engine that had 70K miles and it was smooth also, even my 99 Ranger with the 2.5L doesnot rattle the foot feet or steering wheel.

[djevans]

Thanks for your replys regarding the 2.3 engine vibrations. I would not think that an engine that is missing a part such as a balance item would be considered "normal". More likely, Ford considers it "normal" to produce products that meet a substandard level of quality. I have compared two new 07 Ranger 2.3L next to my truck at the dealer and service manager agree mine run much rougher. You can put your hand on the transmission bell housing and feel the motor pounding as the result of firing each cylinder. I have had other Ford 4 cylinder cars and Ranger trucks that were much smoother. Installed one exhaust damper with some help in reducing vibration . Going to install second damper per Ford tsb.

[xlt4me]

djevans,

Sounds like the vibrations your getting are truly excessive. Mine are not really bad, more like the other Rangers you compared yours to. All I know is that compared to my Honda CR-V, the Honda is as smooth as a sewing machine.

The balance shafts may have been left out to gain a few HP. Guys that soup up this engine remove them for this reason.

Sorry to hear you have a real problem with yours. It especially sux when its a new vehicle. Don't let Ford blow it off. If they can't fix it they should replace it.

Good luck.

[tomw]

IMO, if the dealer people will allow that it vibrates more, then get them to make yours run as smoothly as the other one. THey and you both know it can be done, so tell them to get on the stick. It is possible that there was a defect in machining or casting the crankshaft. Maybe the pistons were not matched. Maybe the cat drag in a mouse. WHO CARES?
Do not go off on them, but point out that you paid just as much for a shaky truck as for one that runs smoothly. Do you have a lemon law in your state? It may be enough of a threat that they would replace the short/long block to satisfy you.
Anyway, don't let them give the 'They all do it...' figleaf.
tom

[djevans]

Thanks for all the replys. I have 2 ford exhaust dampers installed, fore and aft of the converter which seem to reduce the exhaust vibration to an acceptable level for a 4 cylinder.

[7283-F250]

The balance shafts are in the Focus only from what I gather. I just helped a buddy remove his balance shaft from his 2.3L 04 ZX3. The thing weighs a good 20lbs and like 11lbs of that is rotational weight. From what I was told the 2.3L Duratec in the Rangers (starting around 01) do not and have never had the balance shaft on it.
I also found out the balance shaft is timed with the motor and if removed Ford wont even put it back onto the car. If not timed correctly the balance shaft can cause excessive vibration and harmonics inside the motor.