Transmission Issue or not?
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Transmission Issue or not?
I have a 1998 F250 LD Lariat SC SB 2WD with a 5.4L Engine, Automatic transmission, towing package and ~135000 miles. When I first give it gas from a dead stop (slowly), it feels like 1st gear is repeatedly engaging/disengaging until I get moving some. Its light enough that I am not sure if that is what's happening or not. Otherwise transmission shifts smooth through the gears and no other problem. Could it be a valve in the transmission, or could it be a small low RPM stumble that feels like transmission? If I take off a little quicker it is not noticeable, only when I take off real slow.
Anyone experience similar issue or have any ideas?
Anyone experience similar issue or have any ideas?
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
No, not the parking brake. I'd already checked that out a long time ago. This is definitely something either transmission related or ignition related. I did have a heater hose spring a small leak right at the firewall over the #3 cylinder coil pack a while back and it caused a bad miss in the engine. I got that fixed, but I guess it is possible that the coil pack could be breaking down slightly at low rpms. It might even be that a good tune-up will cure the problem. I took the truck in to the Ford deal at 104,000 for its scheduled tune-up, but the mechanic came out and said that they pulled a couple of the spark plugs and they still looked good and said that I didn't need to do it yet. Now I am at 135,000 and I was told by another mechanic that I could have the potential of stripping the spark plug threads in the head because they have been in there so long. If that happens when they go to tune it up, it could cost me a couple grand because I would have to replace the head(s). I would think that I would at least have the option to install helli-coils in the existing head(s) if they should strip one. Hoping that won't happen!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,517
Likes: 3
From: SE Wyoming
First, change the plugs every 60K and torque them properly and plugs popping shouldn't be an issue. If one does pop it is a $200-$500 fix depending on which one goes. You can helicoil, timecert or any of the other names out there. I've got maybe 7K on an insert on my #2 plug and it is fine, cost about $200 to get it done. They said if it is one of the back 4 they have to pull the head and that's when it gets pricey. You can get a set of good new heads for about $1200 a pair so if they are looking at $500 to replace 1 plug it is worth looking into just replacing both heads IMO.
Anyway back to the main question does the same thing happen if you shift the tranny into 1st and try to take off? Does it ever do it in Reverse? Has the tranny every been flushed? What color/smell is the fluid?
When I have COP's go out I usually notice it at light throttle in 3rd or 4th gear, that is also when I notice a tranny slippage problem though.
Anyway back to the main question does the same thing happen if you shift the tranny into 1st and try to take off? Does it ever do it in Reverse? Has the tranny every been flushed? What color/smell is the fluid?
When I have COP's go out I usually notice it at light throttle in 3rd or 4th gear, that is also when I notice a tranny slippage problem though.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Galaxie641, All good questions....
1. It has been awhile but I believe I did try shifting it into 1st gear and had the same issue when I first noticed the problem. But will try it again to make sure.
2. Pretty sure that I did NOT observe the problem in reverse, but will also double check it.
3. Have had the transmission serviced, but not flushed. I have been very leary of letting Ford do their "flush" due to horror stories of the seals starting to leak after the flushing. Most are recommending not to flush, only service regularly.
4. Color and smell are normal.
1. It has been awhile but I believe I did try shifting it into 1st gear and had the same issue when I first noticed the problem. But will try it again to make sure.
2. Pretty sure that I did NOT observe the problem in reverse, but will also double check it.
3. Have had the transmission serviced, but not flushed. I have been very leary of letting Ford do their "flush" due to horror stories of the seals starting to leak after the flushing. Most are recommending not to flush, only service regularly.
4. Color and smell are normal.
