94 Ranger engine tap....

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Mar 3, 2006 | 11:21 AM

rhubarb

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From: Northern Maine

94 Ranger engine tap....

My 94 Ranger has 79,000 miles on the 2.3...I've noticed that once in a while in the subzero Maine morning temps its tapping for a few minutes after start up...is this normal? It makes me nervous because I know it doesnt have lifters so it must be something more towards the bottom end...it runs great otherwise though...I also have been running 10-30 instead of 5-30- could this have anything to do with it?

Mar 3, 2006 | 11:25 AM

rhubarb

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From: Northern Maine

Oh hey also I wanted to mention that I am always about 3/4 of a quart down at oil change time-no leaks-doesnt seem to be burning---is this normal?

Mar 3, 2006 | 08:35 PM

Ken00

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From: South Jersey

With the temp that cold I would switch to 5w-30.

Mar 3, 2006 | 09:07 PM

pike_hunter

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Can not say for sure on a 94, but my 96 has lifters in the 2.3L. One side of the cam follower sits on the valve and the other end sits on the lifter. Should be 8 of them.

Mar 3, 2006 | 09:41 PM

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

I agree with Ken, at your temperatures I'd opt for a 5W-30 & I wouldn't wait either, I'd do it now, or have it done, your engine is talking, are you LISTENING????

If it isn't burning the oil & it isn't leaking oil, where then, do you suppose it's going????

Seems to me, unless someone is removing it via the dipstick tube, to worry you, or it's evaporating, it has to be one of the other two possibilities!!!!

You didn't say what your OCI is, but
3/4 quart low at oil change time, with only 79K miles on the engine, seems a little much to me, but I know Ford would probably say it's within normal range.

Has it always done this knock & oil consumption thing, or did it just begin after some event & you decided to go to a slightly thicker cold viscosity lube to see if it would check up????

Mar 3, 2006 | 09:47 PM

Kijutsu

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From: allen park

'93 Ranger 2.3L Tap

I have a 1993 2.3L Ranger with the same issues. Sounds like the valve/rocker arm assemblies or something. I'm full of oil.. Not leaking or burning either. Changed every 3000 to 5000 miles. I've driven my ranger for close 40,000 miles and I've never had a problem with it *knocks on wood*

Mar 4, 2006 | 12:10 AM

AlfredB1979

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From: Alvin, Texas.

Now is as good a time as any to read the spark plugs (I hear the joy about to explode here) for sign of oil drinking.

Also, as for being 3/4 of a quart low, we will assume the level is indeed at the high mark after an oil change.

I do have a "tap" of sorts right now, but it's due to the exhaust leak I've got. The pipe rattles like a mother right now. Somehow I haven't inhaled CO to the point of no return...yet.