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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 12:06 PM
  #1  
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Eye3BigDon
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Unhappy engine trouble

I need some assistance my 2003 ranger is giving me problems. Its only has 65k miles. There is an electrical squeal coming from the engine. its not the belt it makes that sound as well but my belt is tight and good. The sound is coming from the drivers side of the engine. Around where my trottle is and their is an unusual amount of air blowing from that area. Someone said i may have an air intake leak causing the following problems.
  1. when the 4-6rpm range is reach it sounds like a rocker arm is slaping but only at that range.
  2. My check engine light flashes if i take off too fast above 3rpms then it quits flashing but it does not store any codes. my light is on now because when it start flashing i got pissed and floored it.
  3. my truck on occaision appears to be loosing engine power. only on certain days.
  4. when pressing the gas gently the squeal starts as i press the gas more the squeal goes away.
  5. sometimes i feel my transmission is not shifting where it should be shifting. it has reached 4rpms before shifting where it always shifts around 3 under normal driving conditions.
I as well as most people i talk to have no clue what this is. Could somebody give me clues on what it is and how to fix it.

thanks
Big Don
 
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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frankenbroncoII
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From: north carolina
what engine is it? 4cyl 3.0 for 4.0L this would help a lil bit. if you think its an intake leak take some either and while the engine is running spray it along the gasket area. if the rpms pick up rapidly and then down, then more than likely you have a bad gasket. im sure others could tell you more about how this trick works and why.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 01:10 PM
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sorry i forgot to include that its a v6 3.0 auto 5speed.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 04:03 PM
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frankenbroncoII
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From: north carolina
i personaly not totally familar with the ins and outs of the 3.0L. alot of ppl on here know them well, and im sure could point you in the right direction with your problem.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 04:35 PM
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aquanaut20
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From: BC Canada
Time to get out the "stetho hose" and narrow down the cause, then get back to us, otherwise we are all shooting in the dark.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2007 | 10:05 PM
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It may be the camshaft position synchronizer... it goes in the rear where the distributor used to go. It can make a screeching noise (like a belt noise) due to its bearing getting dry and throwing a fit.

It installs just like a distributor but it is critical to install it in the SAME EXACT position as the old one.

It appears that this defective part can cause every symptom that you list.

Good luck.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 08:21 PM
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i figured out a few of the problems. i changed my spark plugs and wires and that gave me my power back. my check engine light is gone. truck shifts fine now. everything is ok except for that damn squeal. if it is indeed the camshaft position sycncronizer how would i check to see if it needs replaced.

one thing i noticed (my wife actually pointed out) when the air conditioner is on the squeal from my truck is no where near as bad. at this point i am clueless.
 
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Old Apr 1, 2007 | 08:39 PM
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Get a LONG screwdriver out, or hose, or anything rigid, and put it near all of the pulleys on the engine when it's making the squealing noise. Put your ear to the other end. One of the pulleys is more than likely causing the problem. I'd start with the A/C pulley since you said it gets quieter when the compressor is on.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2007 | 02:03 PM
  #9  
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If you want to be sure, just remove the belt and start it, just long enough to see if the squeal is gone. If it is gone, you can usually turn each pulley by hand (once you shut the engine back off) and you'll probably find one that's very stiff or rough to turn.

If the squeal is still present with the belt removed, replace the cam synchronizer.

Good luck
 
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 08:55 AM
  #10  
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ill try that this weekend.

i had changed my spark plugs and wires last weekend because i had a misfire in cylinder 4 and the truck ran "great" afterwards but still the squeal but a few days later it was back to acting funny.

i've also noticed recently my truck does not like to go over 3000rpm's at any speed between 0-55 it will go over 3000rpm's but it sounds like hell and my check engine light flashes. over 55-70 forget it the truck will not go over 65 unless down hill or flat roads.

side note: when i am parked and i rev my engine it will not go over 3000rpm's but it came factory that way. I wonder if my rev limiter is messing with my truck as well.


thanks for all you help mazda.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 10:40 AM
  #11  
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
The parked and rev thing is normal. It limits it to 3000 on automatic vehicles.

Your truck is in limp mode according to your last post, which means the computer has detected a serious issue and you need to have the codes checked a.s.a.p.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2007 | 09:06 AM
  #12  
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Question

i took my truck to a shop for an engine diagnostics they found nothing wrong they came to a conclusion my cat. converter is clogged and pushing air through my exhaust manifold creating my "electronic squeal" i found out that my converter is still warrantied so i had to take it to a ford dealer. Ford gets my truck and finds that the shop i took it to drilled 3 holes in my converter pipes and plugged it with bolts. now its not warrantied but ford doesnt think thats the problem. the standard way to test a converter is to disconnect the pipes and start the truck if performance is gained the converter is clogged. then add each section back to truck to find clogged portion of converter not drill holes. Ford said i have a air intake leak or clog somewhere. When they pulled a vacuum hose off the squeal changed pitch. i should have taken it to ford to start with. you would think somebody on this planet would have the same problem as me and know how to fix it.
 
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