Notices

07 Ranger 2.3L engine vibrations

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 25, 2007 | 06:30 PM
  #1  
djevans's Avatar
djevans
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
07 Ranger 2.3L engine vibrations

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
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2007 | 10:40 AM
  #2  
xlt4me's Avatar
xlt4me
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
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.
 
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2007 | 09:44 PM
  #3  
99F150's Avatar
99F150
Fleet Mechanic
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls SD
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.
 
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2007 | 02:07 PM
  #4  
djevans's Avatar
djevans
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
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.
 
Reply
Old Jan 29, 2007 | 08:55 PM
  #5  
xlt4me's Avatar
xlt4me
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
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.
 
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 08:48 AM
  #6  
tomw's Avatar
tomw
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
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
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 02:22 PM
  #7  
djevans's Avatar
djevans
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
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.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2007 | 09:44 AM
  #8  
7283-F250's Avatar
7283-F250
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 2
From: NH
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.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vulcrider
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
10
Aug 16, 2016 09:19 AM
199930ranger
Escape & Escape Hybrid
2
Aug 18, 2015 07:19 AM
Enomra
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Jan 29, 2013 12:20 PM
hancockr
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
15
Jun 14, 2010 07:18 AM
MTENIENTE
4 Cylinder Engines
9
Dec 7, 2005 08:31 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:35 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE