My buddy is getting the 100k mile service done on his truck and called me to verify the things the mechanic told him needed to get done. The big expenditure he mentioned (~$975) was that he needed a new timing cover. My first thought was that the cover just keeps dirt out of the timing chain and stuff but the mechanic told him that its making him lose coolant. I don't know a lot about the 3.0 V6 his truck has so I'm turning this question over to the collective genius of GRM: Is he being taken for a ride or is that something he really needs to replace? His plan is to sell the truck in a year or so. His truck is a 2001 with the aforementioned 3.0 V6 and a five-speed.
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Nov. 14, 2009 11:42 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork
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Nov. 14, 2009 6:34 p.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork
Really? Nothing?
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Nov. 14, 2009 6:48 p.m. Nitroracer Dork
The 3.0L V6 in that truck is the old, OHV vulcan engine. If its anything like a small block ford I can see the possibility of it causing a loss of coolant, because it is sandwiched between the water pump and engine block.
I've never heard of one being replaced though.
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Nov. 15, 2009 11:04 a.m. integraguy HalfDork
The biggest reason to own to 3 liter engined Ranger is that they are nearly bullet-proof. Unfortunately, they are not powerful or that much more fuel efficient than the 4 liter. Aside from the very steep price tag for maint. on a truck your friend may not own much longer (it always seems that you either sell it sooner than anticipated ...or A LOT later) I'd definitely get a second or even a third opinion on this SUPPOSED timing cover leak. I've own a few Fords (4 cylinder and V8s), and I've never heard of a timing cover leak. A V8 Squire I owned burst the very small hose on the top of the water pump....but with high miles, that was the only water/coolant problem it ever had. My father has had 3 different Tauruses(?) with the Vulcan V6....to my knowledge, NONE had a timing cover leak.
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Nov. 15, 2009 11:09 a.m. iceracer HalfDork
There are water passages in the cover. As to why it needs to be replaced ?
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Nov. 15, 2009 11:10 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork
Awesome, thanks for the help guys. I'll call him and tell him to get a second opinion.
