I've never posted a question because I've never been as stumped as I am now, usually I learn from searching and find someone with a similar situation with answers that help. This is a bit lengthy. I have a 2010 Expy XLT (3rd one) w/ 164,742. I ritualistically change out ALL the fluids way before Ford recommends, always have. At 134,000 the typical driver's side window regulator/motor. 152,000 the timing chain was done, left that to the mechanic but now I have oil seeping from the timing chain cover gasket so I question the work done in there since the bolts are tight. I didn't get around to changing out the spark plugs, boots and springs until 160,000 (usually do about every 50,000miles) using Motorcraft and cleaned all the connections on the coils along with a BG Fuel Induction cleaning. Around 150,000 miles or so I noticed while going up the mountain I was getting a jerking feeling in either 3rd or 4th gears at about 35mph - 40 mph. If I accelerate just slightly to downshift into the next gear then the jerking would go away but I don't want to do that because I'm going fast enough for the mountain and it's curves. ALSO, at any speed from 25mph to 55mph if I'm coming to a slight incline and don't press down on the accelerator to downshift a gear before I get into the hill the transmission will downshift but there's always an "odd act" in the transmission (not so much a clunk but can feel it) and the RPM's jump up as they usually do when going into the next lower gear but then in the next second the RPM's fall about 100-200 and that's where they stay until the terrain levels out and the transmission goes back into O/D BUT if I needlessly press the accelerator just a tad to downshift before I get onto the hill then the trans downshifts smoothly and without the "odd act" and RPM's dropping; The transmission shifts fine both up and down. There has never been a CEL. I took the truck to a transmission shop who put it on their computer and drove it for about an hour, no codes found. He said the clunking was the torque lockup and nothing to worry about for now but couldn't get it to reproduce the jerking going up a mountain. About a month later I decided to take it to the Ford dealer to see if they could find anything. This time the tech was able to get the truck to do the jerking. He said the cylinders appeared to be working correctly and suggested it could be the torque converter, yet again no codes found. A few weeks later I took the truck to yet another shop and there the transmission mechanic told me to drive so he could see what was going on. I had to cross the mountain twice because it took longer to get the jerking to happen, it started jerking before we got to the top on the second trip; this time going about 32 miles. He said he believed it was a spark issue and not a torque converter issue but still no codes. Generally it seems to do this jerking when I drive about 15 miles. On occasion it will jerk in this one area with an incline when I have to stop at the traffic light then accelerate to get up the hill once the light turns green but it won't do it until the trans shifts into 3rd and 4th gears. Any ideas on what to do/check next would be great.
Jerking when going up certain inclines
- Thread starter 3Expy
- Start date
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DeafBringer
Full Access Members
The RPMs dropping is suspect for me.
Check the spark plugs. A crack in the insulator will cause intermittent issues without causing a code.
a dying fuel pump will also cause the symptoms you described.
Last but not least (not in any particular order so start with what is easier for you), check the passenger side coolant lines. There is a T junction that is known to leak into the sparkplug wells and will cause issues without throwing codes.
Please keep us posted with what you find!
Check the spark plugs. A crack in the insulator will cause intermittent issues without causing a code.
a dying fuel pump will also cause the symptoms you described.
Last but not least (not in any particular order so start with what is easier for you), check the passenger side coolant lines. There is a T junction that is known to leak into the sparkplug wells and will cause issues without throwing codes.
Please keep us posted with what you find!
99WhiteC5Coupe
Full Access Members
Paragraph breaks would be your friend.
Prior to the transmission failing in my 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4, it would jerk repeatedly when slightly accelerating on level ground or uphill. No heavy acceleration. It felt like I was driving on the rumble strip on the edge of the road - but I wasn’t.
The Ford mechanic that repaired the transmission stated the torque converter had failed, as well las other things inside the transmission.
The jerking was present for several weeks prior to the transmission failing.
About 10,000 miles before failing, the transmission fluid and filter had been changed at the dealer (no flush).
Thanks for the suggestions and hopefully I can get on it in the next 2 days so I'll definitely come back here with a follow up!
Motorcity muscle
Full Access Members
Top of the line engine scanner is needed, will show any misfires to rule out misfires. Don’t keep driving it, will load up and ruin cats if misfires are the issue
pitdexion
Active Member
Shot in the dark. Do a throttle position sensor sweep (graphing) and look for any spiking.
Ford Frank
Member
I have had the jerking thing happen on two different 5.4’s. I would be going up a slight incline around 45 mph when it would happen. If I give it more or less throttle it would stop. It turned out that it needed new spark plugs. This fixed the problem. Both vehicles were on their original plugs (108,000 miles and 115,000 miles). It had nothing to do with the transmission.
I really appreciate everyone's replies so far! I started a new job about a week earlier than anticipated so I have to "hang the hat on that hook" until I get through training this week. I plan on taking a look into everything everyone has suggested and will definitely come back here with the results.
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