2018 XLT feels like it's pulsing while driving

[RNVXLT]

2018 XLT. While driving at any speed we can feel a very slight pulse feeling, light, not very hard but still noticeable. No issues while accelerating or shifting, just the slight pulsing feeling at any constant speed. I have taken it to the dealership and they said it was not the engine but "might" be the transmission. We have extended warranty but they want the dealer to take apart the trans so they can send someone to inspect and confirm before they approve of any repairs.

Anyone experience this issue before? Again, this is during driving not braking so not the rotors.

TIA

 

[Bombtech59]

I had this issue last year in my 2018 f150 same drive train. drove me insane trying to figure out what was causing it. I took the truck to the dealer for cam phaser replacement and when I got it back no more pulsing. Please keep in mind I still have no idea what was causing, it my plan was to address the cam phase issue, then address the pulsing issue once that was corrected. I was convinced it was a transmission issue but who knows at this point. That was summer fall of 2023. Cam phasers replaced 1st week of december 2023 issue has not returned yet. I do not know if this info will be helpful for your situation.

 

[RNVXLT]

I had this issue last year in my 2018 f150 same drive train. drove me insane trying to figure out what was causing it. I took the truck to the dealer for cam phaser replacement and when I got it back no more pulsing. Please keep in mind I still have no idea what was causing, it my plan was to address the cam phase issue, then address the pulsing issue once that was corrected. I was convinced it was a transmission issue but who knows at this point. That was summer fall of 2023. Cam phasers replaced 1st week of december 2023 issue has not returned yet. I do not know if this info will be helpful for your situation.

Thanks for the info. This is the 2nd time I take it to the dealer. First time they checked the engine and said that this was not the cause that it could be the transmission. I then had to set up another appointment which took several months, to have the trans checked. We have an extended warranty, Not with Ford, so I was hoping to not pay much for the fix. Dealer Tech reported that the fluid looked very dark. The warranty folks said they needed to have the trans disassembled so they can send someone and inspect the parts before they approve any repairs, if no approval then I have to fit the $2,000 disassembly bill, and then pay to have it re-assembled.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Thanks for the info. This is the 2nd time I take it to the dealer. First time they checked the engine and said that this was not the cause that it could be the transmission. I then had to set up another appointment which took several months, to have the trans checked. We have an extended warranty, Not with Ford, so I was hoping to not pay much for the fix. Dealer Tech reported that the fluid looked very dark. The warranty folks said they needed to have the trans disassembled so they can send someone and inspect the parts before they approve any repairs, if no approval then I have to fit the $2,000 disassembly bill, and then pay to have it re-assembled.

Ask the dealer if they accept outside extended warranties other than Ford Protect because the dealers around my way only accept Ford Protect. Thry dont do business with "Carshield" or "Endurance" etc warranties

 

[RNVXLT]

Ask the dealer if they accept outside extended warranties other than Ford Protect because the dealers around my way only accept Ford Protect. Thry dont do business with "Carshield" or "Endurance" etc warranties

Yes they do accept outside warranties.

 

[khammer]

Are you coasting or constant load on pedal and holding speed?

I have felt a similar feeling in my '18 limited. I initially chalked it up to the cheap goodyear eagle tires the dealer put on it before we purchased. However, I do not feel it while coasting, but under slight load or holding speed which to me might be transmission or some drivetrain concern. I just reset my transmission tables on forscan to see if that changes anything.

 

[Moeman]

What we feel with ours is exactly as you describe, but we tend to feel it more under light acceleration. Ours is a 2022. I always thought it was caused by the engine as opposed to transmission.

 

[yo_nick_explorer]

I had this issue last year in my 2018 f150 same drive train. drove me insane trying to figure out what was causing it. I took the truck to the dealer for cam phaser replacement and when I got it back no more pulsing. Please keep in mind I still have no idea what was causing, it my plan was to address the cam phase issue, then address the pulsing issue once that was corrected. I was convinced it was a transmission issue but who knows at this point. That was summer fall of 2023. Cam phasers replaced 1st week of december 2023 issue has not returned yet. I do not know if this info will be helpful for your situation.

The pulsing has been bugging the hell out of me so thanks for this possible fix! I bought my 18 used and have had the pulsing since I bought it.

 

[RNVXLT]

Are you coasting or constant load on pedal and holding speed?

I just reset my transmission tables on forscan to see if that changes anything.

Don't think I feel it while coasting but while holding speed. Please keep me posted if resetting your trans made a difference.
Thanks

 

[Soliyou]

I have the pulsing while towing. Occurs only on throttle so I assume it is in the driveline. Even with the smallest U-Haul trailer I still get this pulsing! It only started around 55k miles!

 

[khammer]

Please keep me posted if resetting your trans made a difference.

I do NOT believe this made a difference. I will keep watching it and see if anything occurs before end of ESP.

I am realizing how trash these tires are though. I will definitely be getting a new set before vacation in May. Looking at Nitto Crossteks for 22s.

 

[Hellwig]

My understanding is Throttle has adaptive learning feature like the 10R80 transmission.

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

To everyone above experiencing this problem, if you have more than 45K on the spark plugs, replace them. It's cheap and easy (relative to VVT replacement and transmission rebuild). And pulsing at part throttle tip in and slight load in a tall gear are classic tells of poor old plug with opened gap issues. To avoid experiencing these issues in the first place....replace the plugs at 45K. Just saying.

 

[khammer]

To avoid experiencing these issues in the first place....replace the plugs at 45K

My current plugs and boots have 28k on them. I installed the Motorcraft SP594 from Fordparts.com as the recommended superseded OEM part.

However, I would gladly spend $50-60 on a new set of plugs if it helped. I will add plugs to my to-do maintenance list this year.

I saw a post recommending NKG 95605 plugs, but Rockauto shows NKG 90495 for the correct fit part. I am going to look into that plug for replacement.

 

[ROBERT BONNER]

My current plugs and boots have 28k on them. I installed the Motorcraft SP594 from Fordparts.com as the recommended superseded OEM part.

However, I would gladly spend $50-60 on a new set of plugs if it helped. I will add plugs to my to-do maintenance list this year.

I saw a post recommending NKG 95605 plugs, but Rockauto shows NKG 90495 for the correct fit part. I am going to look into that plug for replacement.

I used the 495's on mine

 

[5280tunage]

And by pulsing, I suppose do you mean a noticeable difference in say gradual acceleration or are you talking about a pulsing sound? I've had both, and they are very different, and yes spark plugs fixed the former, while the later is more related to what's often called turbo surge. If it's turbo surge, you can tell via the cluster (either via watching the boost gauge in the main screen or changing the top right gauge from tranny temp to boost). Turbo surge I still haven't fixed and often experiences during slight acceleration while at speed, my tuners have helped reduce it some but I will say, I really only noticed this after both turbo's were replaced due to the wastegate rattle issues (which dam-it, those are back).

 

[khammer]

by pulsing, I suppose do you mean a noticeable difference in say gradual acceleration or are you talking about a pulsing sound?

It is NOT a sound, but a feel, similar to a tire out of balance or a flat spot on the tire. But only happens under slight load.

turbo surge, you can tell via the cluster (either via watching the boost gauge

Interesting note on the turbo surge, I will have to check this.

I do have wastegate rattle and cam phaser knock on start up (to my knowledge, ford has never serviced the cam phasers.) I wonder if before my extended service plan expires if they would replace the turbos for the rattle? I may get another 16 months before the end of my plan, but might try and see if they would do the cam phaser service as well. Then I would be ready to rock the next 130k miles with fresh turbos and phaser

 

[5280tunage]

Unfortunately don't hold your breath on the turbos. Mine were both replaced at around 10k miles due to the rattle, but it took 9 months of fighting with Ford and almost a complete buyback over it. So stupid they would go that route due to this issue. I had maybe 6-8 visits to the dealership (and they were on my side) before Ford agreed to do anything. I even had to publish a youtube video of the rattle before Ford would do anything. Sounds so terrible driving down the road with windows open when you can hear them rattling with the sound bouncing off anything nearby and echoing. I think soon I'm going to try the spring trick some folks have done on the F150's but it looks like a pain in the butt to get in there and do.