It's hard to explain, but I'll give it a shot.

When I accelerate normally, the truck doesn't sound any different than any other Ranger I've been in. But when I accelerate more rapidly, a high-pitched rattle starts at around 2k rpms and stops at ~4k rpms regardless of what gear I'm in (Auto trans). I have tried to listen for the origin and even had a friend in another car try to pinpoint it at a roll, with no luck. Neither the engine or transmission act differently when I hear the rattle. I've posted this question on another board, but the only answer I got was that the timing chain might be loose or just not tight from the factory.

Here's my truck specs to help you out:

2002 Ranger EDGE Supercab
4x4 (OHV I think), Auto w/all pwr options

Please help. It's no emergency, but it bugging me and I don't want to push it if it's going to break soon.

 

It's the OHC model, which is famous for primary timing chain rattle. Get thee to a dealer. There's a TSB (technical service bulletin -- actually a few) on this problem and they should take care of it, maybe even out of warranty.

In most cases, that's what it is with the 4.0.

Of course, if it's under load it could be detonation. Either way, get it diagnosed. The 2002 has a knock sensor, so they usually don't "ping".

 

Sounds like you have the timing chain rattle. Your 2002 4.0 is an SOHC and that was one of the affected years. It isn't hurting anything, but theres a kit that can be put on either by yourself or by Ford that can fix it...but I would suggest having Ford do it if you aren't REALLY comfortable taking your engine apart.

EDIT: Phooey...John beat me while I was typing...

 

Like a spark knock. how do i go upon fixing that?

 

It can be a bunch of things:

1. Timing (either fix the timing, or use higher octane)

2. Bad injection (dirty or worn injectors that don't atomize -- the result acts like a lean mixture)

3. Overheated valves or combustion chamber (usually a side effect of something else really wrong).

4. Bad gasoline, or contaminated gasoline.

5. Bad oxygen sensor (can cause an artifically lean mixture while telling the PCM it's okay)

6. Any problem that affects your fuel mixture or timing.

...and so on. Usually, I clean the injectors with some chemical stuff if it's been awhile.since it was done. 3.0's are famous for pinging. In the summer I often run 89 to eliminate it. In the winter she runs fine on 87.

 

mines doing this as well... i didnt know there was a tsb on it..

 

I just got off the phone with the local Ford dealer and they quoted me $900 - $1600 to replace a timing chain. Of course it depends on which one, blah blah blah.

I'm comfortable with hand tools and pretty much any repair, so what is it I need to buy to fix it? A new timing chain?

 

First, do your research, find the TSB's, and THEN talk to the dealer. OF COURSE they're first going to offer to charge you -- that's how they work. Bob (rwenzing) might know if it can be done still under warranty with a TSB out and all.

 

What kit is there avalible that you can do it yourself?

I had my 01 in a few times for the timing chain rattle, and its still there....

 

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...d.php?t=125526

They talk about the kit later on in that thread

 

Thanks for the thread, that seems like a hell of alot of work just for the timing chains...

 

Did it on mine. Hell of alot of work for a tensioner that was no good. In the thread one HUGE point to remember is if anything moves that he is talking about your screwed as the sprockets are not indexed per say just a friction fit and once moved it all goes south on you. You then will need a set of special tools to set up the timing which is what I did as I was by myself. You also should have a repair CD / manual for the truck as you basically are ripping down everything off of the engine to do it. It was interesting for sure.

 

I thought Rangers didn't have overhead consoles?