Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed

[Radon]

I just bought a 2001 Ford Ranger yesterday, which is my 3rd Ranger :woot: This is my first v6. The other ones I had were 4cyl motors and got great fuel economy. There is a very well put together website concerning the 2.3L 4cyl ranger motor and fuel economy. It shows every mod from actual engine mods to quick 5 min fixes.

I havent been able to find too much information on the 3.0 v6. Does anyone on here have any experience with that motor?

[coletrain777]

yes,
The 3.0 should be a FFV engine (flex fuel...E85). The 3.0 is really about the worst of both worlds: it doesn't have the power of the 4.0 v6, and the fuel economy is only about 1.5 mpg better (at most). They are a fairly reliable engine (some can develop headgasket problems), and should offer lots of trouble free miles. I had a 2000 4x4 auto with the 3.0 and normally got around 17.5 mpg (not driving for fuel economy, just driving normal). If yours is 2wd with a 5 speed I would expect you to be able to get 22+ if you are making an attempt to drive for fuel economy.

[trollbait]

I had the 4x2 auto with the V6, and I got 20-22mpg when trying for economy. That's with a cardboard grill block. I also had a PCV catch can. It was a basic one that caught about a tablespoon of oil every week or two. Can't say it helped fuel economy, but it's simple and easy to install, and should help keep the carbon build up down.

I couldn't experiment with it myself on the auto, but anecdotal wisdom has it that the 3l vulcan got better fuel economy in the 3000 rpm range. I can't see the logic, and I suspect those claiming it were unconsciously pulse and coasting. With a scanguage it should easy to verify one way or the other

[VetteOwner]

watch that idler pulley on the serpintine belt, both of our 3.0's in a tarus and aerostar bearings blew out and locked up the pulley, a tell tale sign is a intermittent squeak, thats a warning...

[spazzer]

Originally Posted by VetteOwner

watch that idler pulley on the serpintine belt, both of our 3.0's in a tarus and aerostar bearings blew out and locked up the pulley, a tell tale sign is a intermittent squeak, thats a warning...

I had to replace the idler pulley/tensioner on my wife's taurus, along with the bracket that the idler/alternator/power steering pump attaches to. Bolt hole for the idler pulley was stripped out.

[NotYourDay]

Should be quite reliable. I can't speak as to the 3.0 motor (a few members of my family have rangers, all 4.0's) but seeing as it is a 2001, unless the milage was up there, it's new enough not to have too many problems.

[kamesama980]

As mentioned, the 3.0 is known for being unremarkable in almost every possible way. barely better FE than the 4 liter, barely more power than the 4 banger. At least in the tauruses it's pretty torquey down low. Pretty long-lived though. 200k miles should be easy other than the HG as mentioned. I also know of two friends that have had problems with the CPS bearing. (the 3.0 runs a CPS in the distributor hole on top, I *believe* near the rear of the engine (toward bellhousing)) One had a maddening chirp at low rpm that got worse over a few years, the other had an intermittent failure that would cause the car to not start occasionally. Both were tauruses, mid-90s (jelly bean style) and a 2003

[GeneK]

There was a poster on here that claimed he was getting 30 mpg highway on a 3.0L Ranger.

[trollbait]

The 3.0L is also certified for 5w20 oil.

[Bubba Bob]

Originally Posted by kamesama980

As mentioned, the 3.0 is known for being unremarkable in almost every possible way. barely better FE than the 4 liter, barely more power than the 4 banger. At least in the tauruses it's pretty torquey down low. Pretty long-lived though. 200k miles should be easy other than the HG as mentioned. I also know of two friends that have had problems with the CPS bearing. (the 3.0 runs a CPS in the distributor hole on top, I *believe* near the rear of the engine (toward bellhousing)) One had a maddening chirp at low rpm that got worse over a few years, the other had an intermittent failure that would cause the car to not start occasionally. Both were tauruses, mid-90s (jelly bean style) and a 2003

+1 on the CPS. The gear on it will eventually wear down and stop turning... Unfortunately the oil pump shaft is driven by this part.


My highest multitank average was around 27mpg with the 3.0, but that was really trying. Only half heartedly driving and no corn free fuel around, I now get 21-25mpg. That's with 31in tires and 4.10's hurting, and a few mods helping.