Hello

I have a problem with my Ford that I am hoping someone can help

I purchased a Ford Ranger from a single owner last year very good condition. It has about 320 000 on the odo

The truck was working perfectly the last year but recently started giving problems when I start up the engine (cold start).

Whenever it gets cold the engine would shake violently every 1-2 seconds during idling but stops when the engine is hot.

I also hear some scary sounds from the engine while it is shaking (only if I stand outside)

I have researched it and I can't find a solution, apparently it can be a lot of things as well as timing belts etc.

I had a mechanic change my timing belt a few months ago along with a major service. I am very scared something might go wrong with the engine. Can anyone please help?

Make, FORD Ranger
Model, 2008 Montana
Engine 2.5 tdi
Mileage 320 000
2x4

 

Welcome to FTE.

The noise not being there after the engine warms up is a good clue, but with the mileage on this puppy, unknown maintenance, service, or repair history, several suspect things come to mind, so we need some more info to suggest some suspects.

Did the noise begin slowly over time, or suddenly after some event??? Like after the timing belt replacement, or other repair, or say after a oil & filter change????

Use your stethoscope, or rig one from a length of rubber hose, or tubing, or a wooden broom handle, one end to your ear, the other on the suspect noise area & try to determine where in, or on the engine the noise is emanating from, like up top, midway, or low down toward the oil pan, where it seems to be the loudest & what kind of noise it seems to be, like a tick, thump, clunk, screech, metallic, rubber, well you get the idea, as that can help the forum get our collective minds & experience together to make our best guess as to what we believe belongs on your suspect list & what next are the best options.

Was the timing belt tensioner & idler pulley also replaced with the new timing belt & were they OEM/Ford, or after market parts, if after market, what brand parts were used????

Some thoughts to get your trouble shoot started.

 

Fuel injector that is leaking down?

 

Thanks for your replies, I will make observations as you suggested and update on the results. Hopefully its nothing serious

 

If you have a CEL lit, the computer will have a set trouble code/s stored, so have the computer/s scanned for trouble code clues & post All code Numbers, as they can help focus & shorten a trouble shoot.
If you don't have a code reader, or scan tool, most auto parts stores will scan the computer at no charge if the CEL is lit.

From your description & the mileage on this puppy you may have more than one problem, noise is mechanical, the miss could be from that, or maybe electrical, from faulty high voltage break down in secondary ignition components, like spark plugs, wires, coil pack. The noise could be a number of things from a sticking valve, to an oil pressure problem, so you can see we need more good clues to help zero in on possible suspects.