99 Ranger clutch makes funny noise

I had to buy a new truck thanks to a drunk driver, and I found a 99 Ranger XLT with extended cab and only 32k miles for a song, so I snagged it. It's clean as a whistle, and drives better than the 96 Mazda pickup I was driving when I got rearended. (May the Mazda rest in peace)

Anyway, the Ranger is a 4 cylinder 5-speed and if I'm just putzing around, it doesn't make this sound, but say I need to step on it a little bit, when I shift into 3rd or 4th (I have heard it very rarely shifting into 2nd) just as I let off the clutch, it makes a funny 'whooo'-ing sound.

As far as how much am I getting after it? A good example would be going from a stop light onto an on-ramp to get on the highway... I've got a fairly short space to get up to speed. In most cases, normal just keeping up with normal traffic won't always produce the sound, but could. I can keep it from doing it, but I have to be very concious about how I'm accelerating.

Any thoughts on what that is?

Second, it does do one other thing I don't like so well. When shifting into 3rd gear only, sometimes it will make a high pitched grinding noise, as if I didn't have the clutch in all the way... But when I hear it, and I try to step harder on the clutch, I'm already all the way there, so that's not the problem. This is something that I haven't been able to figure out how to recreate yet. It normally happens 1-2 times per day, but could happen as much at 3 or 4 times a trip depending on it's mood.

Now I don't really know a whole lot about the inner workings of a truck... I can put a computer together in no time, and I can get just about any pinball machine brought to life, and I ain't a dumb fella... just take it slow with me :)

Thanks

Reply to
Mitch
Loading thread data ...

My first thought it that the clutch is slipping. If you stand on it hard going up a hill, in 2nd or third, does it do it then? Does the tach move? Do you ever smell something burning?

Reply to
JimV

Is it more of an eeek sound? I have a 2000 B4000 (Ranger with a

4liter) and when out 4x4ing one day worked the clutch a little harder then it wanted to be. Since then I have a eeeeeek sound (going up in pitch) as I let the clutch out if I am accelerating hard off the line. There is a TSB about it for my truck, something about the flywheel, I would take a look and see if there is one for yours also. Everything on mine holds tight still, and it's been about 2 years with that sound and no problems. 80,000 abused km on it and it's going strong. ~Brian
Reply to
<not

Unfortunately, this one doesn't have a tach, so I couldn't tell you if it's jumping or not. I've never smelled anything burning though. With only 32k miles on it though, how much of a threat would it be that the clutch is going out?

I looked at some website today that shows all the service bulletins for my model, and it did show that there was one for a clutch that "hoots" which is probably a pretty good description of the sound mine makes. But it was $25 to get a subscription to the site. Seems to me like the info should be available free somewhere if I look hard enough for it. I did see a couple other bulletins that looked interesting to peruse, but not enough that I really want to plunk down the cash for it.

As I said before, I really don't know that much about cars, but that doesn't mean I can't learn I guess.

MitchelWB

Reply to
Mitch

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.