Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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?

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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.

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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...

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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.

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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.

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

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

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

The 3.0L is also certified for 5w20 oil.

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0 v6 5 speed
 

+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. :eek:


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.