'98 3.0L Spark Knock

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Feb 12, 2002 | 09:55 PM

hancockn

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'98 3.0L Spark Knock

I have had chronic problems w/ my '98 Ranger w/ the 3.0L V6 spark knocking. I have 60,000 miles and it has been knocking ever since 20,000. I have tried changing plugs, wires, and now have to run 93 octane just to keep it from knocking. Is there a knock sensor that can be replaced or anything else that might help?
I have also heard of programmers that allow you to optimize your engine to run on 87 octane. Are these available for the '98 Ranger?
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Neil

Feb 13, 2002 | 12:49 PM

Ken00

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From: South Jersey

'98 3.0L Spark Knock

This is a very common problem with the 3.0s. The first thing to do is to run two tanks of 93 octane gas and see if it goes away. If it does Ford has a TSB out on the problem but since you are out of warranty you would have to pay for the repairs unless you documented the problem before your warranty ran out. If you are intested in seeing the TSB I can email it to you.

Feb 13, 2002 | 01:19 PM

hancockn

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'98 3.0L Spark Knock

Unfortunately I did not have it documented before the warranty ran out. I would be interested in reading the TSB. When you say run 2 tanks of 93 and see if it goes away, is that with continuing to run 93 or going back to 87 should it still clear up?

Thanks,
Neil

Feb 13, 2002 | 02:44 PM

brg_ranger

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From: OR, USA

'98 3.0L Spark Knock

Mar 18, 2003 | 10:55 AM

chief96

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From: Newport News, VA

'98 3.0L Spark Knock

Ken,
Can you email me that TSB as well please. Thank you.

Mar 18, 2003 | 07:11 PM

ckstrawser

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From: North Beach United States

'98 3.0L Spark Knock

I have a 99 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 OFFROAD 3.0L. I have 68,000 miles on it. I bought it with 38,000 on it and it had a knock in it then using 87 octane. I switched to 93 and the knock went away. I addressed the problem with the dealer at the time of the purchase and the service department said "for Ford to get power and performance out of the 3.0 they had to set the timing real high, which in turn creates the knock on low octane." They told me there is some kind of spacer they can remove from the throttle body but, my gas mileage will go basically to nothing. Now that i have been running 93 octane the knock has come back. I am going to try a tune up or regap my plugs . Would you please email me or point me in the direction of the TSB

Mar 18, 2003 | 08:17 PM

Ken00

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From: South Jersey

'98 3.0L Spark Knock

The basic parts of the TSB are....

If it knocks on 87 and does not on 93 then you replace the ignition coil if the four digit code is between 7001 and 9013, if my memory is correct, and replace the PCM. If you still have knock then the base timing and octane settings can be adjusted. There is nothing about a spacer in the TSB and it only applies to the 3.0L engine.