hesitation / shutter
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Hi nuweb and welcome to the forum 
Is Greased Lightning an additive made to help shuddering like Wynn's ShudderGuard?
Gil, even if the plugs might be good, I think that with 75k on them I would replace them to eliminate the possibility that they are the problem. They are close to due anyway and dont always last as long as Ford or anyone else says due to driving conditions etc.
Is Greased Lightning an additive made to help shuddering like Wynn's ShudderGuard?
Gil, even if the plugs might be good, I think that with 75k on them I would replace them to eliminate the possibility that they are the problem. They are close to due anyway and dont always last as long as Ford or anyone else says due to driving conditions etc.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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This is the first time I have had a oppertunity to contribute instead of just read and apply some of the forum suggestions, Thankyou for all the past help! Yes, Greased Lightning is a additive to reduce shuddering, I do not know if it has the same chemical properties as Wynn's, I just know it worked on a long standing problem I have been experiancing. Also, Temperature did not seam to make a difference with this shudder problem, as I was in Florida this past week in 70 degree weather instead of below freezing and no difference. I added the Greased Lightening in Florida and had no problems all the way home to New Jersey.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
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From: Louisville,Ky.
The plugs might not be "bad", but over 75,000 miles, the electrodes will burn down causing a wider gap that is harder to fire across. Combined with the lean nature that these engines are designed to run, it could cause a bit of a misfire, but not enough to trip the MIL.
Jimmy
Jimmy
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 51
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From: Lewisville, Texas
I have 98 F-150 and thought I had tranny problems as well. It sounds VERY similar to what you described. I was certain that it was tranny. My performance was getting bad and this lasted for a long time WITHOUT throwing a code (check engine light). However, I read on this forum further and someone had posted specifically about COIL#4 due to something about the heater line or something running above there and occasionally dripping and affecting that coil. Finally, and only one time, it threw a code and it was indeed coil#4 (which is a pain to get to). I replaced that it it ran like a champ!!_____I now have a different problem that is unreleated (which matches something else others have posted) but I will post that on a seperate post.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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if the torque converter is shuddering it is due to fluid breakdown. If it feels like you are running under a washboard in the road, then its converter shudder.
Your fluid is probably burnt and needs to be changed. If you have a 4r70w then only user mercon V fluid.
No need for additives, just mercon V and a tranny cooler.
JH
Your fluid is probably burnt and needs to be changed. If you have a 4r70w then only user mercon V fluid.
No need for additives, just mercon V and a tranny cooler.
JH
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Great advice! BUT! it didn't work! After a major overhaul and modification the fluid (MERCON V) was completly new and the transmission still shuddered with in 100 miles of highway driving. this transmission torque converter was a upgrade with brased fins and a improved clutch! Level10 did the work and the transmission ran much better other than the shudder. I went lookin elsewere with plugs and wires, still no highway improvement. I put in a alternate trans cooler and a deeper pan, still no improvement. The greased lightening has now been working for over a month without a hitch, time will tell here!
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: NH
Hey dtharrett-
Last year I went through the same thing with my truck - a 97 150 lariat 4x4 with the 4.6. Come to find out it was a tranny problem and $2500 later I had it rebuilt and it's fine. Luckily, I had less than 500 miles left on my aftermarket warranty and they covered all but $300 or $400. I always noticed the shudder when I was going uphill and it seemed like it was right before it wanted to shift...like it was lagging. I think the diagnosis was the torque converter, but not sure. Either way, it involved a full rebuild.
Good Luck with it!
Last year I went through the same thing with my truck - a 97 150 lariat 4x4 with the 4.6. Come to find out it was a tranny problem and $2500 later I had it rebuilt and it's fine. Luckily, I had less than 500 miles left on my aftermarket warranty and they covered all but $300 or $400. I always noticed the shudder when I was going uphill and it seemed like it was right before it wanted to shift...like it was lagging. I think the diagnosis was the torque converter, but not sure. Either way, it involved a full rebuild.
Good Luck with it!
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Hello all new to the forum.
It sounds like everyone is having problems with there 4.6L but I have the same thing happening with my 5.4L 2000 Expedition.
I bought it with 46,000 miles it now has 52,000 miles and at downshift in the final gear at 50-60 miles and hour I get the washboard shutter.
2000 Expedition, 4x4 XLT 5.4L Auto
Would this be the same thing you all are talking about
It sounds like everyone is having problems with there 4.6L but I have the same thing happening with my 5.4L 2000 Expedition.
I bought it with 46,000 miles it now has 52,000 miles and at downshift in the final gear at 50-60 miles and hour I get the washboard shutter.
2000 Expedition, 4x4 XLT 5.4L Auto
Would this be the same thing you all are talking about
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
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I have been getting the "wash board shutter" when I slowly step on the gas pedal around 1,200 to 1,400 RPM at maybe 30 MPH. I then take my foot off the gas, step down again and it downshifts and all is fine. No problem experienced at highe speeds?
Gil
Gil
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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guys, this is basic stuff.
Inspect your transmission fluid. If it is any color except redish pink, then it needs to be flushed.
I flush all my fords with mercon V every 15k miles. Some say its overkill, but my last 4r70w went 240k without one rebuild.
Also install a magnetic inline filter, and a transmission cooler.
JH
Inspect your transmission fluid. If it is any color except redish pink, then it needs to be flushed.
I flush all my fords with mercon V every 15k miles. Some say its overkill, but my last 4r70w went 240k without one rebuild.
Also install a magnetic inline filter, and a transmission cooler.
JH
New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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97 expedition 82k miles, noticed hesitation when accelerating hard around 50 mph like when entering highway off access road. ford dealer found no codes, suggested reprogramming pcm per a service bulletin. problem is now worse--occurs at all speeds.
has anyone else had success replacing coil #4? could this be a computer (pcm) issue?
has anyone else had success replacing coil #4? could this be a computer (pcm) issue?
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 51
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From: Lewisville, Texas
I had trouble with infamous coil#4. I had the symptoms for a LONG time without a code being thrown. It seems very much like a tranny issue but was not. It finally threw the code temporarily (i.e. the light came on, but then went off the next time I took my 98 F150 out). I know that's not common, but that's what it did. Anyway, I took it to AUtozone and it reflected a problem at coil#4. I knew that was the problem when he said that, because I had read other posts here regarding the same issue. One person gave the reason about the heater line running above it and causing problems from a drip. At any rate, I replaced the coil...kind of a pain, but not too bad and the truck ran perfect after that!!! Only problem since has been the rubber elbow at the back of the engine. It apparenlty is a known issue that it gets a tear accross it and sucks in air in the vaccum. Replaced that and ran perfect again!! Your problem is probably coil4 if it's the same for the Expedition as it is for the F150. Do some other searches on "Coil"and see what others have posted.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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turned out to be coil#8. took it to one ford dealer and they suggested i reprogram the computer (not happy with these guys). took it to a different dealer and they found the defective coil. now it runs great. seems like this engine has a problem returning computer codes for defective coils given the number of postings i've seen on this issue.