I bought an 08 F150 SC Lariat 5.4 has 92K miles on it. Truck is extremely clean and tight.

On the overnight test drive home, the wife and I noticed that between 20 and 30, there is a random slip or rough shift. Only randomly happens on a slow, slow normal acceleration. Dont know what gear this would be and all is normal under a faster accelleration and driving..

I immediately called the dealer and advised and brought it back the next day. Their response of course was that their transmission guy could not duplicate it.

My questions are:

1.) should there be a code?
2.) what should I do to record the event to get them to see it is legit?
3.) is there something I can connect that will record this event?
4.) could this be a simple fix if caught now?

Yes I bought the truck because they gave me a power train warranty with $100 deduct.

 

Since you have the warranty, just enjoy the truck for now and see if you can narrow down the exact conditions to recreate the possible issue. Then you can take it back and have their transmission guy take a ride with you.

If your warranty allows you to choose your shop, try finding a reputable transmission shop in your area.

Simply flushing your transmission may fix the issue completely. You could try taking it back to the dealer and asking for them to perform that service as a courtesy since you bought it from them. Worth a shot anyways. Assuming it's a Ford dealer, you'll know they're using the correct fluid. Beware of shops that use any type of "modifier" to convert one type of transmission fluid to another. Like magically turning Mercon into Mercon V.

 

Thanks, it is a Ford dealer and the warranty is thru them only. I have thought about buying a Ford extended warranty?

Tried to get them to service it before purchase, they would not. Thought about doing a pan drop, filter change and replace some fluid? but dont know if this would be effective at all?



Thanks!

 

No to the pan drop. If you're going to do it, spend a few extra bucks and do it right. Have it flushed.

The sooner you do it, the better. It will either solve your issue or bring it to the surface. Either way, it's a good thing.

Good luck!

 

Since when is dropping the pan not doing it right?

 

Since it's the equivalent of draining 1-2 quarts out of your engine oil.

I really don't think it requires explanation. Dropping a pan is better than nothing, but doesn't realistically do much.

digitaltrucker: If you're looking to do it yourself, there is a way. It's potentially messy and a little risky, but you can do it if you're mechanically confident. I haven't done it to the truck yet since I'm only at 24,000 miles, so I can't tell you specifics. But here's the general overview.

Identify and disconnect the transmission cooler line that pumps fluid out. If you can safely move it so it would discharge into a bucket, great. If not, attach a piece of hose from that line and move it to a bucket. Have about 20 quarts of Mercon V handy (you can always return the unused quarts). Have a friend start the truck and immediately start pouring transmission fluid into the dipstick hole. As long as the truck is running, continue a constant supply of fluid until you see the transmission fluid coming out of the cooler turn clean. Shut the truck off, connect the cooler line, and check your fluid level. Don't drive the truck until you've made certain that the fluid level is correct.

I'm sure there are Youtube videos of this kind of procedure out there. Again, be careful doing this because if you allow the transmission to run dry, you could damage the front pump. If at any point you see fluid stop moving (probably accompanied by a strange noise), immediately shut the truck off.

 

does a trans record a code on malfunction like what I described? I have not done anything yet.

 

I have the same problem. Same year, same model, 50K miles. It actually feels like OD if I'm counting right. Obviously, you don't go in OD at 30mph unless you are taking it easy. That's the only time mine does it too. Just had it flushed at Ford dealer. I wouldn't normally believe in that sort of thing, but the truck has done a lot of sitting on dealer lots in the 2 years before I bought it. I do believe in the possibility of gunk buildup when something sits. Flushing program supposedly comes with a 30K transmission warranty up to $2000 if it craps out. They say I'm supposed to bring it back in 20-25K and have the filter replaced. I haven't noticed it since the flush except maybe once that wasn't as pronounced as it had been. It's mostly been on the highway this weekend though. About to start doing a lot of towing with it. Maybe that will bring the problem to the surface. I'm hoping if it's really on its way out, it will happen before the 60K powertrain warranty or the +30K flush warranty. Good luck with yours. I'm loving my truck so far. It's my first full-sized truck and my first Ford.