So... I don't think this is a huge deal, but it's something I noticed on my 1999 F150 with the Triton 5.4L V8: When sitting at idle (in Drive), I'm idling just about 600rpm, but I'm noticing a little shudder that comes and goes in cycles at about 2-second intervals. This truck is practically brand new -- just had it handed to me from my grandfather with < 32,000 miles on it because he wasn't driving it much and I needed a car. That being said, I was thinking/hoping this isn't a huge problem. Maybe a minor vaccuum leak or something? Any thoughts as to what can cause this? Is this normal? Am I just being a perfectionist/paranoid, overly-protective owner? Or is there some worry behind my claim?

 

If your grandfather did not change the
trans fluid, It is worn out.
Do a trans MERCON V transfusion.
Pay $159 for someone to do it
or about $50 to do it yourself.

Don't use Jiffy ****

 

Typical convertor shudder, get a fluid flush and a filter change and all your woes should be gone.

 

Thanks guys. I will put in some new tranny fluid this weekend, as well as get some fresh oil in there. My grandpa really babied that thing, but I reckon it's time to put in some new fluids. Perhaps he forgot about the time factor the fluids face, not just how many miles have been put on them. I'll also talk with him this weekend and see if/when he did this.

If anyone thinks it may be some other issue, feel free to post your thoughts!

 

get the power flush done at a good shop, torque converter and cooler hold over 2/3rds of the oil and it all needs to be changed, sounds like a converter lock up problem

dropping the pan only gets about 1/3rd of the old oil out

 

Definately get the machine flush, as it gets the contaminated fluids from the cooler and upper lines (which you will see is a problem area in TSB's for most fords) As for the idle issue, I don't know that its related at all but I had an 05 Aviator and it shuddered like that from day one, they told me I was crazy and it was the way I was driving it. Long story short, instead of buying it off lease, it goes back to the dealer tomorrow for turn in But I'm sad to see it go, it was an awesome little truck.

 

That's a heck of a way to make a sale...

98Navi: "Um, yeah, there's a slight problem with the Aviator..."

Idiot at stealership: "You did it. Screw off."

Bravo.

 

Thats why I have both sets of keys and a perfectly clean car to go turn in today. Shame to, dam nice truck and I would have bought it if not for all the problems.

 

It just seems like overkill to do a system flush. I have less than 32,000 miles on it, even though it's a '99. I'm sure my grandpa took care of regular changes, since he is retired and has nothing better to do and loved that truck. Does it matter if the shudder is just a mild thing? I mean, it's not like it's shaking the truck apart or anything... could it just be something a little quirky with the truck?

 

You have a very nice Grandpa that's for sure.
To me, "SHUDDER" is a pretty wide open statment and can come from numerous causes. Without seeing or hearing what your truck is doing, I can only suggest that you talk to Grandpa and ask him if he had the problem when he drove it. He may even tell you, that it is not a shudder and the truck is driving normally. Your ear may be tuned to every little noise etc.
If you and Grandpa agree that there is a problem (shudder), definatly look into it. My experience is, little problems / shudders ususally become big problems.

Good luck and keep us posted.

TJK

PS: I am not dismissing anything anyone stated to help you with this problem, just offering my input. Too many times, I have friends and family members explain problems over the phone to me and I tell them to bring the vehicle over. In some cases, there is a very minor problem or no problem at all. Other times, I have had vehicles brought over with a major problem and wish they brought it to me when the problem was actually minor to them and they blew it off until it became a magor problem.

 

What is the standard change interval for a Tranny fluid change. I purchased a used 1998 F150 / 5.4 V8. 135000 miles. By the looks of things, the previous owner was anti-maitentance unless necessary, other than standard oil changes.
Usually, when I buy used, I do a complete prevent-mait. but didn't think to do the tranny fluid change. Do you suggest filter, fluid etc. or just a fluid change.

Thank You

 

30,000 miles

 

Either get a full fluid replacement with a machine, or drop the pan and drain the torque converter yourself. Whether you think it needs it is not the issue - you are showing symptoms of converter shudder and this is the recommended fix to try first. This also gives you a good baseline for maintenance down the road - you will know that in spring 2008 with 32k miles, you had a full tranny service.

 

It's not even really a noise so much as a vibration in the steering wheel/seat. And I would think "oh, it's completely normal" if the vibration never went away, but the fact the it'll go in a cycle from vibrating to nothing to vibrating ever 2 seconds or so is what caused me to notice it. But I'll check with him this weekend and see what he thinks. My dad and I do a most of our own maintainence on all our cars, and he thinks I'm just over-reacting. But then again, he hasn't sat in it since I mentioned it to him (I only got the truck a couple weeks ago).

And yes, my grandpa is pretty effing awesome.

EDIT: I thought it might be a vacuum leak or something because it feels like it's going to stall; my dad's '97 Expy had a similar problem and it turned out to be one of the vacuum valves was acting up. But still to clarify, it's only a minor shudder/vibration, so it's not like it's shaking real hard, just that it's just BARELY not getting enough rpms at idle. Most n00bs probably wouldn't think twice about it, but I am paranoid when it comes to new vehicles. And sorry if this doesn't make sense. I suck at clarifying things.

 

Check the PCV hoses, there are elbows on the pass. side in the back that burn through and collapse. That is where I would look.