Starter.
Alternator.
Radio.
Engine.
This is a generally well-made vehicle, with the exception of the engine. It is comfortable, and has plenty of power. The one glaring problem is the engine. There are many Bronco II's (and Rangers) out there with the original 2.9 V6 still running in good condition. However, there are also many, many others where the engine has died. The modes of failure are very consistent, and usually take the routes of either cracked cylinder heads, or failing oil pressure due to worn-out camshaft bearings. Having examined first hand these failure modes, and also having seen Ford's original in-dash oil pressure gauges for various model years, I have come to a conclusion. As an auto mechanic with 12 years experience, it is my opinion that around 1989, Ford realized they had a serious problem with oil pressure in the 2.9 V6 engine, and took steps to cover it up. Ford made changes in the operation of their oil pressure gauge on Bronco II's that, in my opinion, were an effort to delay or possibly prevent the consumer from realizing that there was a problem with low oil pressure. Not all "B2's" had this problem, but enough of them did. In my opinion, this was a sleazy trick on Ford's part, and really the only negative (albeit a big one) for such a good vehicle. I've replaced the engine in my truck, and I still love it, but I think Ford did a great disservice to the public and to the reputation of the Bronco II.
Thank you for such an insightful review. I am a first-time car buyer interested in this very model and you have helped me to identify the correct questions to ask and research that I must do in order to not get snubbed.
Whoever wrote this review knew what he was talking about. I am the owner of a 1990 Bronco II 4X4 withe the original 2.9 V6 under the hood. A few months ago the oil pump gave out. After I replaced the pump the oil pressure gauge never worked right. I installed an after market mechanical pressure gauge to solve this problem. Other than that I am a very happy owner of a Bronco II.
Hey
I am Garrett, and I read your article regarding the Bronco II, I noticed the same thing about the oil pressure. When I got my 90 Bronco II with automatic transmission, I noticed that the oil pressure indicator rarely moved and when it did I didn't notice it. I really appreciate that, but I have already killed my truck. I go off-road a lot and I went too deep and sucked water into the engine and froze it up tight. Another problem you will want to watch out for is the electric fuel pump in the tank, If it goes, you have a $250 dollar problem, they don't sell it at your local auto parts store, you must go to the dealership. You can easily test it by getting someone to turn on the ignition and you listen in the fuel tank and see if you can hear a humming sound, if you hear it, you are fine. One other thing, I am putting a 302 in my truck and I will now need to change that indicator or what do I need to do? Email Me: pofessa@yahoo.com.
Hey I just read your report on the oiling problem the 2.9 has true the 2.9 has it's problems, but I think it's one of the better motors ford made (I own a 89 ranger 4x4) I am also in the auto industry I'm a ASE certified parts manager at an auto parts anyway ford's back in the late 70's and through the 80's HAD OILING PROBLEMS I owned 302's ranging from 83 through 90 and everyone of them had low or oil pressure failings, the 2.9 does have cylinder head problems, but mine never failed and when I first got the truck the oil pressure read always low so I asked my father what it was (he's a retired auto/diesel machanic) and he told me to check the sending unit because the 2.8 had problems with coming loose and since the 2.9 is pretty much the same motor it made since that it was bad so I changed it and that was the problem well it's been two years now and 50,000 miles later not a problem with the motor and being a ford guy all these years I have to say this is the best engine I have owned holds good pressure to.I have asked people if they had problems like your having with there bronco2/ranger they all said no they where happy with it anyway thanks for the input on that problem though if myself or other people I know start having this problem maybe it's certain production dates this thing's exist on?
Hi, I have an 89 Bronco II with the infamous 2.9L. I must say after 167,000 miles I have adjusted my rattling valves once. My oil pressure seemed to fluctuate on me until I realized that the pressure created in the oil journals was the problem. The oil sending unit was the same unit used for the 2.8L engines and not casted to match the 2.9 oil journal. I changed the sending unit and had no problem with an aftermarket one. After this many miles, I have no oil leaks either. With 33.12.5 Super Swamper Boggers, 4.56 gears, a 1977 Dana 44 swapped into replace the weak Dana 28, Ford has a great truck they should have continued to improve and redesign.
I have a '90 ranger 2.9L with 145000 miles. I have only owned this truck for the past year. My trucks oil pressure factory oil pressure gauge always reads in the normal range while running. I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge and the actual oil pressure ranges from 10PSI at idle to 40PSI. The factory gauge is totally not to be believed, as the needle seldom moves at all. The truck runs great, although it does have the incurable lifter tick that is pretty common on this engine.
I own a 1989 BroncoII with the famous 2.9 engine, and like many of your other readers, have discovered the famous factory gauge cover up. only after replacing the lifters twice at great expense, did the manual gauge I installed show that my oil pressure would drop back to 10 psi at idle and climb quickly to 40 psi at 2000 rpm plus. The new lifters started making noise after about 2 weeks and now are hit and miss on is this going to me a noisy day or not. Still not sure on the question of low oil pressure and is any damage being done my engine at idle. Until I recently had the lifters changed checks of my oil pressure with the manual gauge showed strong oil pressure, but now I see my in dash gauge bouncing from strong normal to "low" range and back again. Wondering if some dirt go dropped into the engine during last lifter job and garage and now my bearings are paying the price.
Oh, great! I have just posted a rave review on my 1989 Bronco II and now I find out the oil pressure gauge is "make believe". I think that's what you are saying. I have had my truck 14 years and 156,+++ miles with very few repairs. I have no mechanical skills, but I am a gauge watcher because I was under the impression that gauge changes might fortell impending doom (which would be "car trouble, or rather, "truck trouble" in my case). My normal gauge readings always make me feel safe and secure in my old beloved truck. This is very troubling to find out that the gauge is not accurate. My truck doesn't burn or leak any oil. I would be devastated if my engine's life was snuffed out by a bogus gauge and now realize that may very well happen some day. Thanks anyway. At least I won't be totally shocked if it does--devastated--but not shocked thanks to you!
I've got an '87 Ranger with a 2.9L V-6. I just discovered about a gallon of anti-freeze in the oil and am sure it's the infamous cracked head problem. Also my oil light has been on for the past year or so, but since the engine never died I figured it was just the sending unit (haven't gotten around to replacing it yet). It actually still runs fine despite the water in the oil (or at least it did until I discovered it - haven't started it since).
I had an '83 Ranger previously, with the 2.8 V-6, and it also died of cracked heads. I'm going to donate this thing to a good cause and never buy another Ford again!!
Lucky day for all of you. I am a scientist engineer with over twenty years with NASA. I own a Bronco II with a 2.9 (second one in it). The Ford 2.9 engine is a oil feed mess. The fact that some have major engine problems and others do not is what is known as random failure due to tolerance variance. But all will fail at some point or another, and sooner than normal for any engine. There is no question that the head design has led to this problem, among other things. The poor design of the head cooling and oiling circuits (oil and water flow patterns) not only causes cracking due to inadequate (leave material). But it also passes more oil rather than water over hot spots to the heads causing excessive oil viscosity breakdown.
In addition, the design of the valve lifter assembly does not provide for pump flow of oil Thru the push rods lubricating the rocker assembly's or upper valve assembly. It also inhibits lifter air pump out. This combination of things places the cam, lifters, and rod assembly's at a starved oil situation. The starving is borderline at best at idle. As a result, the lifters, cam bearings and rod bearings will wear dependent upon the random tolerance stackup in the assembly's. That tolerance is not limited to just the spacing, It is also inclusive of the makeup of material. What I mean is that the actual metal composition of the parts themselves. This composition varies from production lot to production lot. There are hundreds of lots made per calender year. If you have a Motor built with parts of a better production lot, your motor will last a little longer than others. There is no way to tell, at this point other than detailed failure analysis of a specific engine. Very expensive.
Rebuilding a 2.9 with high grade parts will not resolve the issue of poor design. If you like the 2.9 The only upgrade or improvement I am aware of is aftermarket design heads. This will reduce the chances of cracking, but does not address the poor design flow issues.
Ford did change oil indication (pressure gage) setups and more on 2.9 engines. What the purpose of that was is only known to those who did it. But if they did it to cover up. They messed up there to. They should have made a new design pressure reading circuit (sending unit and gage) that read oil pressure as higher than it really was, Not lower or erratic as the one they have does.
There are a few things you can do to improve the 2.9 if you like it. 1.) replace the gage with a mechanical one. There is no substitute for a actual reading of oil pressure.
2.) replace the oil pump with a high volume one, heavy duty.
3.) Replace the push rods and lifters with hollow rods and super duty lifters. The rockers need to have the adjusting bolts drilled for pump Thru. This will increase the upper train oiling and allow the lifters to pump out air. Yes air!!! Air that gets trapped with no way out of the lifter. This is why they tick! Trapped air inside the lifter. And as it heats up it expands, but it also compresses more. This is why they tap.
If you don't have a love for the 2.9 My advise is to replace it as fast as you can.
I disagree with everything stated here.
I have a 87 Ford Ranger 2wd with the 2.9L V6 Engine.
I bought it brand new in 1987 and been runnning it for over 300,000 miles without any problems. It still has all the orginal pumps, Starter, and Alternator. Only time I ever touched the Engine was to put Valve cover gaskets on.
For Oil Pressure, I have never heard of a 2.9 with the problems described here. The 2.9 has a very good oiling system for the bottom end. However, insufficent top end oiling can result in Ticking lifters, which isn't a big deal.
My Oil Pressure gauge (stock) sits in the normal range when Cold, but as it heats up it drops to the "L". However, I'm almost 100% postive that it is just a Sending problem. Seeing as how it has done it for 4 years and hasn't killed the Engine.
Also, I have heard of the Head Cracking problems, but I've never had trouble with them. Just watch your temp gauge and you'll be fine.
Also, I would like to point out the 2.9's many good points, as in GREAT low end torque for big loads, great gas mileage, and how easy it is to work on when it comes to spark plugs and such.
Sounds like what we have here is just a Couple of isolated cases of 2.9 problems in one group. Go over to www.therangerstation.com\forums and read the 2.9 board, most people like the 2.9.
It's a helluva little V6 Engine. It makes me sad Ford Decided to drop it for the much weaker 3.0 V6 Engine. Which is mostly a Taurus Engine turned sideways. It does not have good power for big loads like the 2.9, nor does it have 1\2 the character.
I love my little 2.9, IF it ever dies Ill drop another in in a heartbeat.
There are bad apples in every bunch, but if you get a good 2.9, there a tough engine to beat.
Later,
Dustin.
I have an 87' with 160,000 miles on her. Other than a bad egr valve and a bad OD (one of the few manual 4x4's in the Northeast), I've had no oil pressure problems (Don't have analog gauge - just an idiot light). She's towed an 18 ft boat for the better part of 10 years, seen the sunny shores of Miami and driven through the 1997 ice storm in Maine as well as more than 100 trips to VT for skiing. Every summer I lower the pressure and run the beach at Smiths Point (somewhat difficult in soft sand with a manual) A rear shock mount rotted off a couple of months ago and was easily welded back on. I've got tapping, but I always thought it was from the exhaust. Change the oil religiously and she's never left me on the side of the road. While I'm not saying it's the best car out there, it is reasonably economical, maintains solid off road capabilities and can park in New York City with the best of them. I was always hoping to upgrade to the full size Bronco, but I can't say I'd be happy with a bigger motor and bigger problems. I'm going to be buried in her.
I too have had problems with this motor. My '88 Ranger 4X4 has the original 2.9 FI motor and it has developed a very loud tick/knock sound, which is progressively getting worse. Not sure what is causing this, the truck has always been well-maintained and is rarely driven. I'm thinking I will replace motor with the 2.3L 4-Cylinder, which won't have as much power, but gets better gas mileage and is practically bulletproof reliability-wise.
I own a 1990 ford ranger with the 2.9 v6 it has 140,000 miles and still running strong this truck has never left me sit I bought this truck new in 90 and I will never part with it take good care of your vehicle and it will take care of you.
I totally agree with the scientist's rendering of the infamous 2.9. I owned an 89 Ranger GT with the 2.9, and it was nothing, but trouble. The original owner (my neighbor) took very good care of it and drove it not too often. When I bought it in 97 it had 65000 miles.
It was a good truck until about 90000, when the lifters started to click. I didn't see it as a big problem because it was a rare occurrence. After a while, it started to get noisier and noisier. I then decided to take the valve covers off and have a look. As far as I could tell there was nothing wrong, so I took it to the mechanic who did an oil pressure test and stated there was about 8 psi at idle and up to 30 at 3000 rpm. He advised that I change the oil pump and adjust the lifters, so that was done.
It was then free of the noise, but then it began to smell terrible of coolant. The head was cracked and water was entering the combustion chambers!! I then decided to get rid of it, and I sold it for parts. It was a good thing that I did because the connecting rods on cylinders 1 and 4 were ready to go out the block!! I was advised of this by a different mechanic, the one I sold the truck to.
I maintained it well, lube oil and filter every 2500 miles, and all the other maintenance according to the service guide. I liked it while I had it, but now I own a 92 4x2 with the 2.3 and 188000 miles and it has treated me much better.