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Ford F-Series Rough Idle/Vibration Problems

182 messages,  Last post on Mar 04, 2013 at 5:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford F-150, Engine, Truck

Messages Page 16 of 19

#150 of 182 Ford F150, 2004 - Vibration Problems (steering wheel, etc.) by bartb65

May 03, 2010 (1:03 pm)

Stock tires finally wore out but ride had been smooth as silk. Bought 4 new Michelins and sometime afterward, noticed moderate to severe vibration starting about 65mph which mostly (not entirely) goes away at 80mph or so. My mechanic for 20-years has tried everything and is as stymied and frustrated as me. He has rotated, balanced, shaved (rounded), aligned, etc., to no avail. He's also checked everything else he thinks it could be. He and I finally decided to replace these tires with 4 brand new ones (also Michelin). It is less now but the vibration is still there at the same speeds. It comes and goes. It seems worse on curves. I guess I could try a Ford dealer but know that they'll recommend a ton of very expensive things and likely won't fix the problem. Anyone else have or had this problem and fixed it? I am at wits end. Thank you in advance.

#151 of 182 Re: Yet another one... [bunedoxx] by silentfly

May 09, 2010 (11:49 am)

Replying to: bunedoxx (Feb 15, 2010 12:39 am)
Mine has this problem also, It has always had a loud vibration in certain rpm ranges on acceleration That has seemed to get worse Easing up on throttle makes it go away, very annoying, but on this last trip it has developed this bad shaking vibration when a load is put on the motor starting uphill. I was not towing anything but had around 700 pounds of gear in the bed I thought it was rumble strips when it first started happening. scared the crap out of me. My truck is a 2005 supercrew 4x4 with only 37000 miles. The F*^%$#ing truck has been babied. I have never even had it in four wheel drive other than to make sure it worked. How many of us are there with this problem ?

#152 of 182 Vibration at the 1200 - 1800 RMP Range. by noro1

May 11, 2010 (11:32 pm)

I have been reading about people having problems with vibration around the 1200 - 1800 RPM range & the feeling is like driving on the rumble strips on the side of the road. I have this problem too. I have a custom modified 1975 Chrysler / mitubishi LA Lancer that i have rebuild with all ford running gear. 302 Windsor 347 stroker, C4 - C10 stage 2 trans Ford 9" diff with Detroit Trutrac Centre.
At first i thought that maybe the exhaust was touching the undercarriage somewhere. but it's not.
 
The vibration is only there while driving, so i tested it out by putting the trans in neutral when the vibration starts at the 1200 RPM range & the vibration stopped.
Now this is making me think it is the drive shaft that is out of balance.
 
So I am going to get the drive shaft balanced & I will post the results here.
 
I am pretty sure that this is the problem. because if it wasn't a problem with balance, the vibration would be there all the time. the vibration is only there between 1200 - 1800 RPM & then its fine one I get through that rev range. so I tend to go through that rev range as fasts as I can because I cant stand the vibration & the fact that everyone takes notice of my car, it a bit embarrassing. thats my excuse for putting my foot down in second gear anyway : )

#153 of 182 Re: Vibration Issues [enphluence] by cambrady2112

May 13, 2010 (11:45 pm)

Replying to: enphluence (Apr 23, 2010 1:26 pm)
hey I have a 99 f150 with a 5.4 . when I bought the truck it had that same knocking noise. and it turned out to be the passenger side exhaust manifold had rotted out. I have herd that ford has a problem with them for quite some time. it sure didnt sound like an exhaust manifold to me but it was. I was just glad it wasnt the engine. hope you figure it out.
unfortunatly, I also have idle problems with my truck and cannot figure it out. I see alot of people have this problem.

#154 of 182 Re: Ford F150, 2004 - Vibration Problems (steering wheel, etc.) [bartb65] by mcnga100

Jun 14, 2010 (5:18 am)

Replying to: bartb65 (May 03, 2010 1:03 pm)
I have the same exact problem ( new Michelin tires also). If you find an answer, please let me know. I have vibration between 45-50 and again at 60.

#155 of 182 Re: Yet another one... [silentfly] by mood99

Jul 29, 2010 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: silentfly (May 09, 2010 11:49 am)
I have a 2004 F150 FX4 with same issue. Did you ever discover the root of your issue?

#156 of 182 Re: 2007,4.6 rough idle [truckcity] by truckgeek

Nov 08, 2010 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: truckcity (Feb 17, 2010 7:27 pm)
I have a 2005 Lariat. Just bought it about a month ago and have been doing maintenance on the weekends and working on a rough idle problem. Finally solved it.
 
Things I did:
1) Replaced the spark plugs with Champion 7989. They don't break in the engine.
2) Gapped the plugs to .45 which is a little lower than recommended.
3) Replaced all the ignition coils (got 8 of them for about $120 on ebay)
4) Changed Fuel Filter
5) Used mass amounts of injector cleaner.
 
Despite all of this, it made very little difference.
 
6) Replaced the battery (believe it or not, this helped a lot. Bad batteries cause sensor problems due to low voltage)
7) Cleaned the throttle body, PCV valve and Mass Airflow Sensor.
This made the largest diffence...issue fixed.
 
Lesson learned, carbon and gunk builds up in these engines really, really bad. You won't believe the difference 1 hour of time, $2 dollar gasket and $3 bottle of carb cleaner makes. Should do it ever 30K-40K miles or so.
 
I have also heard changing the motor mounts helps but haven't had to do that.
 
Good luck,
 
James

#157 of 182 Re: 1100RPM and Idle shake solved. (maybe) [mrstreetrod] by truckgeek

Nov 08, 2010 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: mrstreetrod (Feb 01, 2010 9:27 am)
I have a 2005 Lariat. Just bought it about a month ago and have been doing maintenance on the weekends and working on a rough idle problem. Finally solved it.
  
Things I did:
1) Replaced the spark plugs with Champion 7989. They don't break in the engine.
2) Gapped the plugs to .45 which is a little lower than recommended.
3) Replaced all the ignition coils (got 8 of them for about $120 on ebay)
4) Changed Fuel Filter
5) Used mass amounts of injector cleaner.
  
Despite all of this, it made very little difference.
  
6) Replaced the battery (believe it or not, this helped a lot. Bad batteries cause sensor problems due to low voltage)
7) Cleaned the throttle body, PCV valve and Mass Airflow Sensor.
This made the largest diffence...issue fixed.
  
Lesson learned, carbon and gunk builds up in these engines really, really bad. You won't believe the difference 1 hour of time, $2 dollar gasket and $3 bottle of carb cleaner makes. Should do it ever 30K-40K miles or so.
  
I have also heard changing the motor mounts helps but haven't had to do that.
  
Good luck,
  
James

#158 of 182 Re: Ford F150, 2004 - Vibration Problems (steering wheel, etc.) [mcnga100] by code01

Dec 07, 2010 (6:28 pm)

Replying to: mcnga100 (Jun 14, 2010 5:18 am)
i was looking at your post and my truck doing the same thing yours is it is a 2004 cab and half lariat did you ever find any thing out any help would be great thanks kenny

#159 of 182 Re: Ford F150, 2004 - Vibration Problems (steering wheel, etc.) [code01] by 2006f150guy

Dec 29, 2010 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: code01 (Dec 07, 2010 6:28 pm)
1st, vibration 12-1300 rpm to approximately 1800 rpm not in gear. My 2004 4.6 had the same problem. I now own a 2006 with a 5.4, still same problem. Unfortunately it appears to be a Triton engine concern, not limited to one version or the other. It does not bother me too much in gear and on the road. Is probably a design issue/vibration and most likely not repairable. All engines vibrate, some are designed to limit vibration in operation range. Many foreign manufactures use balance shafts to reduce or eliminate vibrations. American manufacturing does not and normally balance shafts. On a
V6 or V8, it is normally not a concern as the engine is balanced either internally or externally/ Not sure what Ford engineers did, but the Triton does vibrate as stated in many concerns listed here.
  
2nd, road vibration in 2004-? I had my 2004 in the shop for a intermittent vibration numerous times and the dealer I bought the truck from in TX could not fix it. Vibration on uphill climbs and light loading. In 05/06?, I happened to be headed to IL for holiday and stopped by the dealer in my hometown. 30 minutes later, never had the road vibration again. Dealer successfully balanced all tires ON the truck. Appears the 04 F150 extended cab maybe others are/is more sensitive to tire vibrations and amplifies the problem. Find a good tire or Ford dealer to balance the tires on the vehicle.
  
3rd, Engine miss at idle or on acceleration, I agree, have the plugs coils and wires checked and perform all routine maintenance. Remember the fuel filter, too many times it is left unattended too long and takes out fuel pumps or injectors. Run an approved injector cleaner through your tank once in a while, check manufactures recommendation. But using a good fuel that has cleaners to begin with is best in my opinion. If your favorite gas station does not post or brag about cleaners, they most likely do not have the best fuel in town. Use quality and manufacturer approved fuels.
  
Hope this helps someone!

Messages Page 16 of 19

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