Shuddering Issues

[ashcash]

Hi everyone, I have a 2020 XLT 4x4 with 140,000 miles. I'm having a serious shuddering issue when I go above 2k rpms. Below 2k rpms I have no issues. I hit 3k rpms and an engine light appeared, blinking. It disappeared after about 30 seconds but the issue still persists with no change. I'm not experienced with diagnosing issues, so any help is welcome.

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[ashcash]

Update, I went about 2500 rpms up a hill and I *might* have heard a tire squeal while shuddering. It sounded like one, but I'm not entirely sure. For the record, I wasn't trying to go 2,500 rpms up a hill. Also, problem persists in gears at least above 5, possibly the lower gears too but I don't want to find out.

 

[RangerBill]

Hi everyone, I have a 2020 XLT 4x4 with 140,000 miles. I'm having a serious shuddering issue when I go above 2k rpms. Below 2k rpms I have no issues. I hit 3k rpms and an engine light appeared, blinking. It disappeared after about 30 seconds but the issue still persists with no change. I'm not experienced with diagnosing issues, so any help is welcome.

A blinking CEL light usually means a cylinder misfire. Check for DTC codes to find out which cylinder may be misfiring. Could be a bad spark plug, water in spark plug well, or a bad coil pack.

 

[ashcash]

A blinking CEL light usually means a cylinder misfire. Check for DTC codes to find out which cylinder may be misfiring. Could be a bad spark plug, water in spark plug well, or a bad coil pack.

I checked the ignition coils and they work without issue. I'm going to get it scanned tomorrow. How serious could this be? I don't have the money to get a new engine or transmission.

 

[RangerBill]

I checked the ignition coils and they work without issue. I'm going to get it scanned tomorrow. How serious could this be? I don't have the money to get a new engine or transmission.

Was there any water in the spark plug wells or in the ignition coils? Also, if you had the coils removed from the plugs, make sure #4 coil (nearest the firewall) is properly snapped onto the spark plug. It is hard to get that one on straight and will cause a misfire if not properly installed.

 

[ashcash]

Was there any water in the spark plug wells or in the ignition coils?

I'll have to check that tomorrow. I only pulled the coils out halfway to listen for the spark they made and they all were sounding off. I looked down into one of the spark plug wells and it was bone dry and pretty dusty, but I didn't check the others.

 

[Dereku]

Squealing while going up hill past a certain rpm could be the belt, a belt accessory, slipping transmission, bad turbo, ect. Check condition of fan belt right away its easy. A misfire should be more pronounced being a 4 cyl. But a plug with cracked ceramic might only arc past a certain rpm and cause stumbling. Had that issue before with a 2.3.

 

[airline tech]

I would start with a scan and note which cylinder or cylinders it is and go from there.
I would also check (due to squeal) all of the induction tubing to ensure they are secure and not damaged.

 

[Dereku]

I would start with a scan and note which cylinder or cylinders it is and go from there.
I would also check (due to squeal) all of the induction tubing to ensure they are secure and not damaged.

Yes good idea on the tubing. A small hole in boots can make a loud squeal once into boost. Just took a road trip with that issue. Had to keep it under 8psi to avoid it… it was loud.

 

[RangerBill]

I'll have to check that tomorrow. I only pulled the coils out halfway to listen for the spark they made and they all were sounding off. I looked down into one of the spark plug wells and it was bone dry and pretty dusty, but I didn't check the others.

I just noticed that you have 140,000 miles on the truck. Have you replaced the spark plugs before? If not. your plugs are probably bad and should be replaced.

 

[ashcash]

It was my spark plugs, I changed them in my work's parking lot hahaha. That was a couple of days ago and I haven't had any issues since then. Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[airline tech]

It was my spark plugs, I changed them in my work's parking lot hahaha. That was a couple of days ago and I haven't had any issues since then. Thank you everyone for your help!

Awesome - Did you note any evidence of water down any of the wells?

 

[ashcash]

Awesome - Did you note any evidence of water down any of the wells?

No water, it was all dry. All of the spark plugs were really old, they probably haven't been replaced since they came out of the factory.

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