The Ford Ranger, renowned as the best-selling compact truck in the United States, is assuredly one of the best-midsized pickup trucks. The Ranger is a reliable vehicle equipped with a turbo engine, making it more efficient and powerful

With all its rugged and versatile attributes, the Ford Ranger also comes with its issues which can be prevented by proper maintenance.

Some of the problems with possible solutions associated with the Ford Ranger are highlighted in the article below.

Ford Ranger Transmission problems

Ford Ranger is faced with transmission problems characterized by gear loss, rough shifting, and malfunction in the overdrive light. Some possible causes of these problems include the following:

Worn Transmission

A standard transmission can last 100,000 miles, so it is not associated with new vehicles. The band and clutches found in the transmission help implement gear change. A rough shifting problem may set in over time if they wear out, and fixing it will cost you a lot.

Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid

Low transmission fluid level can cause a rough shifting issue in a Ford Ranger as the pressure runs down. The fluid can lose the parts’ lubricating and friction abilities, which occurs when the fluid is not topped off or changed for a long time, thereby causing hard shifts.

Damaged Torque Converter

The transmission is connected with the engine by torque converters, which may lead to rough shifting if this component loses its responsibility of connecting the transmission and the engine. Just like a damaged clutch, a damaged torque converter is the automatic transmission equivalent.

The solution to Ford Range Transmission problems

• When you observe rough shifting problems with your vehicle, hire a qualified technician to fix it. There is a high possibility of buying a new transmission if your vehicle is old.
• To avoid transmission problems, avoid incorrect application of the transmission fluid. You can better still use the help of a technician in applying it. See the user manual for the correct transmission fluid for Ranger.
• When the symptoms arise, you must take them seriously, as transmission issues can cause your Ford Ranger to cripple literally. Hiring a qualified technician to diagnose your vehicle is a way of resolving and preventing a damaged torque converter issue before it becomes worse.

Ford Ranger Turbo problems

Turbo problems that Ford Ranger has reportedly been associated with include issues during cold start check engine light with fuel injector code, high fuel consumption, head gasket problems, reduced performance, and low-speed acceleration vibration.

Faulty head gasket

Ford Ranger drivers are reported to have a failing head gasket as one of the common turbo problems they face. A result of an overheating engine caused by a malfunctioning cooling fan can lead to a faulty head gasket. One of the symptoms that shows at first is a white exhaust smoke or coolant consumption which many drivers have experienced with a leaking head gasket. Power loss, milky oil, and a choppy or rough idle are part of some other symptoms that drivers experience when their head gasket becomes faulty.

A low engine coolant level, poor coolant flow, and bad thermostat are part of the reasons people experience this problem.

Carbon build-ups.

A decrease in vehicle performance and increased fuel consumption are caused by carbon build-ups associated with the turbo in Ford Rangers. It could also cause restriction of air flows entering the cylinders. Another likely cause may be a result of a cylinder when one of the cylinders contains more carbon build-ups than others leading to symptoms such as rough idle, power loss, shaking, vibrations, or a misfire.

The PI (Point-injection), which sprays fuel into the intake ports, is unfortunately not used by the turbo engines. Although not flawless, the Direct-injection (DI), great technology, and impressive discovery is used instead. It allows the direct movement of fuel into the cylinder. Carbon build-ups can form from the accumulation of carbon deposits stuck to the valves due to the inability of the DI to clean them with no fuel flowing over the intake valves. The process where oil makes it to the intake ports through the intake tract causes engines to always experience oil blowby.

Low-speed acceleration vibration.

The low-speed acceleration vibration is another common turbo problem that the Ranger users reportedly face. Some Ford Range drivers have experienced a low-speed acceleration at ten mph with their trucks vibrating. There still is no report on what causes these problems as some affected vehicles have been sent to be evaluated by Ford engineers. Some people suggested that several Ford Ranger turbo problems, such as an unbalanced drive shaft, a bad transmission mount, a problem with the start-stop technology, or an issue with the ignition timing, cause the vibration. Others see it as a mystery and believe Ford to soon release smoother rides. By lowering down to factory specs, the PSI in the four tires, some Ranger users felt an improvement. But the assumed components haven’t been confirmed to cause these problems.

The solution to Ford Range Turbo problems

• A scheduled oil change can prevent the oil and other fluids from being contamination. Contaminated oil which contains increased carbon particulates, foreign matters such as metal filaments, and other contaminants, can reduce the quality of the lubricating oil present in the engine.
• The wrong oil, low oil levels, oil filter build-up, poor oil supply, and poor oil pressure are causes of lack of lubrication which you can prevent. Always check oil levels and use the right oil because it is very important for your turbo.
• The damage of foreign objects can result in low performance, turbo noises, and turbine blade chipping. You can prevent this by using air hoses free from blockages, checking if air hoses are free of damage regularly, and ensuring the installation of the right air filter. For those who recently experienced a turbo failure, ensure no fragment from a previous failure is present. Also, a new gasket is recommended to avoid a gasket breakup.

Conclusion

The Ford Ranger, popular for its ruggedness and versatility, also have its weaknesses highlighted in the article. You can avoid problems associated with this vehicle by practicing proper maintenance measures.