'01 Ranger Typical Problems?

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Ulysses - 30 Aug 2008 18:12 GMT

Greetings.

I'm considering buying an '01 Ranger that has 200,000 miles on it. It has
the 4 cylinder engine and auto trans. The CEL is on and it misses while
idling if the A/C is on. The auto trans is leaking a bit but I'm pretty
sure the woman that owns it has not added any ATF so it must not be leaking
real bad. I could not tell for sure but it seems to be leaking from the
shift lever. Other than all that the truck is in very good condition (other
than the high mileage) and the price if pretty low. I have an Explorer with
285,000 miles on it and another one with 210,000 miles (4.0 engine, both)
and they both still run pretty great but I don't know how many miles it too
many on the little 4 cyl engine. Does it have a timing belt?

Based upon my experience with Explorers it probably needs a new air cleaner,
new spark plugs, clean the IAC and the MAF and the CEL will probably go off.
I would have to wait til I get it to have the codes read as I don't have a
code reader.

I Googled but did not find any posts about transmission problems on this
year of Ranger. Problems with the A4LD auto trans on the early Explorers
are common. Anything else I should know about '01 Rangers?

I have '91, '92, and "97 Explorers and a '78 F350 and all have been very
good trucks. Should I add this Ranger to my collection or not? Ordinarilly
I'd pass on a truck with the CEL light on that hasn't had a smog test yet
(California) but it's a regular cab short bed step side and my daughter
really likes it, so my usual judgement is being somewhat influenced...

Thanks.

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Kevin - 30 Aug 2008 20:29 GMT

> Greetings.
>
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Thanks.

with that many miles on it it better darn near be a gift. why pay for
that much risk? KB

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Scott - 31 Aug 2008 20:41 GMT

> Greetings.
>
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Thanks.

If it hasn't had the trans serviced, that will probably need done.
There are pros and cons, many think that changing the fluid, if
its never been, done unleashes dirt in the trans which will quickly
destroy it.

Does it have a 2.3 or 2.5?

The 2.3 is all new in 01 and I don't know if it has a belt or chain,
but with that many miles even a chain might be getting loose.
An 01 2.3 is NOT the typical Pinto 4 cyl.

If its a 2.5 the belt will be due for replacement AGAIN.

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Ulysses - 31 Aug 2008 20:57 GMT

> > Greetings.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>
> If its a 2.5 the belt will be due for replacement AGAIN.

I'll have to check again to see which engine it is. I knew but forgot as
I'm not familiar with the smaller engines but with gas prices the way the
are I guess I'd better to get know them.

The widow woman who owns it said her husband had it serviced about one year
ago but I don't know if they serviced the transmission so I'll find out. In
any case the leaking fluid looks very red and not brown so that's sometimes
a good sign. I've heard about transmissions that had not been serviced
going to hell when the fluid gets changed.

As for the mileage I'm used to the 4.0 OHV engines in my Explorers--at
200,000 miles they just need new head and manifold gaskets. I had a '93
Escort wagon with a 1.9 and I sure don't see many of them still running.

She's asking about 2/3 of what Kelly Blue Book says it's worth so that's
pretty good but if I have to spend $2000 on the transmission then it sure
ain't no good deal.

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david - 31 Aug 2008 21:25 GMT

> Based upon my experience with Explorers it probably needs a new air
> cleaner, new spark plugs, clean the IAC and the MAF and the CEL will
> probably go off. I would have to wait til I get it to have the codes
> read as I don't have a code reader.

You should insist that the seller allow you to drive it to the nearest
auto parts store. They will read the codes out for you. Don't just
throw parts at it; find out what is wrong with it *before* you buy it.

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