Fluttering RPMs

[SHOdded]

Mercon LV changes color over time, it is apparently a natural progression and not a worry factor.  Smell definitely would be, as would fluid level.  How does the fluid look now after the 2x drain & fill?  Blot it on a paper towel to see if there are any contaminants.  Does the shudder occur when you rev the engine in Park or Neutral?

Was there any fuel smell/black smoke at all?  Fuel being dumped into the cats possibly?  Leaky injectors are a known problem area.  Pulling the plugs to check condition would tell you if there's a problem.

 

[pmezo33]

Didn't know that about mercon.  Kind of a relief.  Definitely didn't smell burnt at all.  Didn't see any contaminants or shavings when blotted.

Shudder doesn't happen in neutral and revving the engine.  It only happens when in gear and moving.  I lightly touch the gas and it shudders for a few seconds and then goes back to normal. 

No fuel smell or smoke.  This really feels like a transmission issue.  Engines firing ok - no cel's.  I'll pull the plugs tomorrow to take a look, but I'm pretty confident they'll look fine.   

 

[SHOdded]

3.5L GTDI ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, HESITATES, SHUDDERING WITH MISFIRE DTCS P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306 OR P0316 
TSBID: 172607 Mfg Num: 11-8-19 Issue Date: 2011-08-26
Broken plug ceramic/SP528/CYFS-12F-3

AWD VEHICLES - SHUDDER/CHATTER/VIBRATION ON TURNS OR THUMP/CLUNK NOISE ON LIGHT ACCELERATION - BUILT 10/1/2009 TO 12/31/2009 
TSBID: 172664 Mfg Num: 10-22-4 Issue Date: 2010-11-01
PTU replacement

PTU is supposed to be disengaged in P/N, so that might be the issue.  Strange it should ramp up so quickly, but it is what it is.  You can probably test (aside from those listed in TSB) by pulling the AWD module fuse, see if the shudder goes away.  Fuse 11 in the passenger compartment fuse box on the 2010 SHO and MKS.  Maybe it's just the fuse, who knows.

Lincoln owner's manual
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/10mksog2e.pdf

 

[pmezo33]

Just got back from the transmission shop.  It's a torque converter. 

$1000 if I want to do just the torque converter or $1800 for a rebuild - got to love the bronx.  He recommended the rebuild, but said it was up to me.  I'm leaning towards the rebuild.

 

[cror1]

I would get a 2nd opinion. might even be worth paying ford 120$ for diagnosis.

 

[pmezo33]

I would get a 2nd opinion. might even be worth paying ford 120$ for diagnosis.

Not a bad idea.  I'm not really sure what else could be the issue though.  The engine's running fine.  No misfires or anything.

 

[ZSHO]

Please tell me they found some codes to determine its indeed the Torque converter and not playing guessing games especially with the amount you mentioned above,what was there Diagnosis? Hope the shop is not located in Hunts Point,lol  Z

 

[pmezo33]

Please tell me they found some codes to determine its indeed the Torque converter and not playing guessing games especially with the amount you mentioned above,what was there Diagnosis? Please dont tell me its in Hunts Point.  Z

They took it out for a ride.  Said it was pretty obvious it was the torque converter.  Didn't check for any transmission codes.  Would a failing torque converter throw transmission codes?

Not hunts point.  Transmission shop in the south bronx right by yankee stadium.  I've never been there since i've never had transmission problems, but they were recommended to me by someone.  I get a year warranty with the transmission work.  Definitely wouldn't be paying until I confirmed the problem is fixed.  Seemed pretty honest (but who knows).  They weren't pressuring me into anything... said bring it back whenever i'm ready to do something.

 

[ZSHO]

I think you should have at least a PO740 code stored,heres a good link for ya with the symptoms associated with the TC.  Z    http://repairpal.com/OBD-II-Code-P0740

 

[SHOdded]

I think you should have at least a PO740 code stored,heres a good link for ya with the symptoms associated with the TC.  Z    http://repairpal.com/OBD-II-Code-P0740

Though a code may not always be set early enough to please the driver   Here's a more in-depth look at P0740
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0740

another TC related code, P0743
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0743

 

[ZSHO]

I think you should have at least a PO740 code stored,heres a good link for ya with the symptoms associated with the TC.  Z    http://repairpal.com/OBD-II-Code-P0740

Though a code may not always be set early enough to please the driver   Here's a more in-depth look at P0740
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0740

another TC related code, P0743
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0743

MANU Definitely agree with ya,does sound like the preliminary stages of the TC,my only gripe is how could the shop give you a valid assessment simply by a test drive and without any Diagnostic testing performed.  Z

 

[SHOdded]

MANU Definitely agree with ya,does sound like the preliminary stages of the TC,my only gripe is how could the shop give you a valid assessment simply by a test drive and without any Diagnostic testing performed.  Z

I agree!  May be time for a Lincoln diagnostic, as CroR1 suggested earlier.

 

[ZSHO]

Pmezo due apologize if i seemed a bit riled up,just did not want to see you throw away that kind of $$$$$ away,at least with Ford/Lincoln you should be in better hands especially if an issue was to arise or if the wrong Diagnosis was made,best of luck.  Z

 

[ajpturbo]

I think you should have at least a PO740 code stored,heres a good link for ya with the symptoms associated with the TC.  Z    http://repairpal.com/OBD-II-Code-P0740

Though a code may not always be set early enough to please the driver   Here's a more in-depth look at P0740
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0740

another TC related code, P0743
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0743

MANU Definitely agree with ya,does sound like the preliminary stages of the TC,my only gripe is how could the shop give you a valid assessment simply by a test drive and without any Diagnostic testing performed.  Z

Not saying it is or isnt the tq converter but with a seasoned mechanic sometimes a quick drive is all it takes...the test drive is the diagnostic check...sometimes the sounds and feel offer more than computer diagnostics

Sometimes mechanics have seen a particular models problems frequently enough that a quick drive for verification is all it takes

 

[pmezo33]

Pmezo due apologize if i seemed a bit riled up,just did not want to see you throw away that kind of $$$$$ away,at least with Ford/Lincoln you should be in better hands especially if an issue was to arise or if the wrong Diagnosis was made,best of luck.  Z

Were you getting riled up?  I didn't even notice. I appreciate everyone who took time to provide input in this thread. 

I'm going to take your advice and get a second opinion just to make sure.  Will probably drop it off at lincoln at some point in the near future.

 

[pmezo33]

So here's an update to where i am now with this issue if anyone's interested.

Went to another transmission shop for a second opinion and he hooked a scanner up to it that's able to read all possible codes.  It's showing absolutely no codes at all.  Tried some fuel cleaners just to eliminate that as a possible issue.  Didn't help.  Car is still shuddering and rpm's not holding steady between 1000-2000 rpm's.  Gave me a $3500 estimate to rebuild and said he'd need it a week.

I was all planning on bringing it in on Friday to get done since it was starting to get annoying and didn't want to deal with this anymore, but figured I'd give one more thing a shot.  I tried this dr tranny shudder fix stuff since it gets pretty good reviews and the symptoms immediately went away.  I figured i'm rebuilding the thing anyway, so i might as well give this stuff a shot.  The car runs as smooth as ever.  I'm in complete shock at how immediate and how perfect the car is driving now because these snake oil mechanic in a bottle type products never work. 

http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-230/Instant+Shudder+Fixx

 

[ajpturbo]

Did you have fresh fluid and the proper fluid level checked hot and running in neutral?

 

[pmezo33]

Did you have fresh fluid and the proper fluid level checked hot and running in neutral?

Fluid is fresh (3x drain and fill last week) and made sure the level was right a few times just to be sure.  Car was running and in neutral.  Didn't help until I put this shudder fix stuff in.

 

[SHOdded]

Looks like this officially confirms trans issues.  Let's see how long the product helps.  I would do a 3x drain & fill after a couple thousand miles, see if it stays fixed.  Anyway, good going, keep us updated.

 

[pmezo33]

Looks like this officially confirms trans issues.  Let's see how long the product helps.  I would do a 3x drain & fill after a couple thousand miles, see if it stays fixed.  Anyway, good going, keep us updated.

Yep definitely confirms the torque converter as the problem.  If it doesn't last, I'll rebuild the trans.  It is what it is, but right now it's running great again.  I do a lot of driving and put a lot of miles on cars, so I'll make sure to update every so often.