Engine shot - Coolant intrusion - 74k miles on my Ford Ranger 2.3L I4 xlt

[silversurfer]

Never seen any warnings about overheating or any comments from Ford service techs about coolant leak issues etc over the past 5 years I've owned this truck..

I was putting slowly in traffic on the freeway a couple days ago and suddenly all sorts of alarms going off, jerkiness and weirdness with transmission... I hobbled to a nearby gas station and had it towed.

The dealer is telling me that the technician found coolant intrusion. Low compression on cylinder 2 and 4 - 105 psi.
The say I need a new motor which will be $14,261.29.

I'm devastated and unsure what I should do...Am I SOL?

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[AzScorpion]

First off sorry to hear about your Ranger.

I've only seen one engine failure here and that was Anthony @awd.nv who had his replaced. His was a rod bearing and was replaced under warranty. Maybe try calling Ford and see if they can help you out? It's worth a try and I've seen where they have helped others with their transmission issues. Good luck.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/engine-replacement-at-50k-miles-rod-bearing.31695/

 

[silversurfer]

Thanks, I am planning to call Ford corporate sometime today.

The Ford dealer service lady told me that they "saw signs of off roading"... that there was "bits of mud underneath the vehicle" and that this or having non-stock tires was the likely cause for my engine failure... seriously WTF??

I don't even take this thing off road very much and the stuff I do is mostly mellow fire roads... She kept re-iterating this off-roading point and that I should not mention that the truck had "been off road" when I call corporate...

 

[Titchadesh]

Your truck has the FX4 package, it is literally called the "Off-Road" package. What is she carrying on about?

Very sorry to hear about your troubles, it seems to be very rare to hear about our engines failing.

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks, I am planning to call Ford corporate sometime today.

The Ford dealer service lady told me that they "saw signs of off roading"... that there was "bits of mud underneath the vehicle" and that this or having non-stock tires was the likely cause for my engine failure... seriously WTF??

I don't even take this thing off road very much and the stuff I do is mostly mellow fire roads... She kept re-iterating this off-roading point and that I should not mention that the truck had "been off road" when I call corporate...

Signs of off roading??

Well, it is a 4x4 truck which was designed to go....OFF ROAD!

I'd tell the Ford corporate rep what they said and also that the truck has never been abused while off road. That's almost as bad as saying their Ford tune was at fault yet they sell them.

 

[Grumpaw]

Signs of off roading??

Well, it is a 4x4 truck which was designed to go....OFF ROAD!

I'd tell the Ford corporate rep what they said and also that the truck has never been abused while off road. That's almost as bad as saying their Ford tune was at fault yet they sell them.

"Off Road" means just that.....off the road into your driveway and into the garage !!!!!
Surly you wouldn't want to go onto a dirty non paved road !!!!

 

[veedubtuner]

Thanks, I am planning to call Ford corporate sometime today.

The Ford dealer service lady told me that they "saw signs of off roading"... that there was "bits of mud underneath the vehicle" and that this or having non-stock tires was the likely cause for my engine failure... seriously WTF??

I don't even take this thing off road very much and the stuff I do is mostly mellow fire roads... She kept re-iterating this off-roading point and that I should not mention that the truck had "been off road" when I call corporate...

That is the most asinine thing someone could say about a 4WD vehicle WITH THE FX4 PACKAGE. Reasons like that are why dealerships get bad raps about denying warranties. I would have been pretty sarcastic with my reply if I was told that

 

[AzScorpion]

"Off Road" means just that.....off the road into your driveway and into the garage !!!!!
Surly you wouldn't want to go onto a dirty non paved road !!!!

Now this is off road!

 

[Dr. Zaius]

So sorry to hear this OP.

And while I know this is a VERY rare occurrence, every time I see a post like this it makes me reconsider trading mine.

Curious to see what Ford has to say.

Good Luck!

 

[veedubtuner]

Now this is off road!

Proper way to drive a Dodge.

 

[silversurfer]

I wish I had traded it... The transmission has always been clunky and I was worried about that going... but never thought something like this would happen.

The dealer's been sending me $20k offers to buy it every month... I should've taken them up on it

 

[NotBudule2]

Well, 15 grand for a "new" motor would be crazy imho... should be lots of good ones in salvage yards though...

 

[TJC]

I've been considering lowering the engine temp by installing a 170F-180F thermostat for a while now, enough so that purchased a high quality one.... I've always worried about these newer engines running hotter with aluminum engines and high compression / intake air charges (turbos).

I'm still noodling it all out...

So sorry to hear of your troubles.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

Now this is off road!

It's missing the 01 on the doors lol.

 

[PltFX4]

Very sorry to hear of the 2.3L troubles.

I'm taking a 500 miles trip this weekend... going to have to keep an eye on it now where I would not have worried at all.

Only saving grace is, now you can upgrade:

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