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- Jul 18, 2011
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Greetings,
I have posted this topic in an F-150 forum and received some input, but not a whole lot. Since many of us are truck/towing aficionados, I thought to post it here.
My truck . . . 2012 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4WD w/ 6R80 transmission, 206K miles.
I bought it in Nov 2021 for towing my slightly large boat the 1-2 miles from the launch ramp to my summer house. So far it has towed the short distance fine, and I use it occasionally for driving around, hauling larger items, etc. Since I've owned it, barely put 1,000 miles on it.
Recently, I have noticed a noise (seeming to come from the engine/transmission area) during moderate or hard acceleration. The best that I can describe the noise is a "pulsating screech' making quick screech noises about 2 times per second. If I back off the gas pedal the noise goes away.
I initially thought it to be the turbo(s) making noise, but then I realized that the tachometer jumps up/down about 300 RPM in the same pulsating fashion as the noise. This has shifted my focus to the transmission. At highway speeds it is a little hard to hold speed on hills, as the noise will start when I apply more gas pedal to maintain speed (60-65 mph). I figure the noise is not a good thing, so I try to avoid it by going easy and gaining speed before steep/long hills.
Driving around town is fine. The transmission shifts well at any and all speeds, but just makes the screeching noise and seems to slip if I use too much gas pedal. Entrance ramps to highways can be a challenge as that is when you need the most acceleration.
So far I have . . .
The transmission seems to hold better during acceleration after the fluid/filter change, but will still make the noise (and RPM slip) during harder acceleration.
Me thinks it is the torque converter on its way out, but the type of noise is not the typical 'shudder' that you would get with a torque converter problem. I've also read about a 'stator clutch' (one-way clutch in the torque converter) that perhaps is wearing out.
Any thoughts, experience, ideas, etc. are welcome & appreciated.
My plan is to drive the truck locally and use it for the few times to launch/retrieve the boat, while continuing to monitor the issue. Then, plan for the repair at some point. Just want to make sure I am on the right track.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I am hoping to get some input (thank you!)
I have posted this topic in an F-150 forum and received some input, but not a whole lot. Since many of us are truck/towing aficionados, I thought to post it here.
My truck . . . 2012 Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost 4WD w/ 6R80 transmission, 206K miles.
I bought it in Nov 2021 for towing my slightly large boat the 1-2 miles from the launch ramp to my summer house. So far it has towed the short distance fine, and I use it occasionally for driving around, hauling larger items, etc. Since I've owned it, barely put 1,000 miles on it.
Recently, I have noticed a noise (seeming to come from the engine/transmission area) during moderate or hard acceleration. The best that I can describe the noise is a "pulsating screech' making quick screech noises about 2 times per second. If I back off the gas pedal the noise goes away.
I initially thought it to be the turbo(s) making noise, but then I realized that the tachometer jumps up/down about 300 RPM in the same pulsating fashion as the noise. This has shifted my focus to the transmission. At highway speeds it is a little hard to hold speed on hills, as the noise will start when I apply more gas pedal to maintain speed (60-65 mph). I figure the noise is not a good thing, so I try to avoid it by going easy and gaining speed before steep/long hills.
Driving around town is fine. The transmission shifts well at any and all speeds, but just makes the screeching noise and seems to slip if I use too much gas pedal. Entrance ramps to highways can be a challenge as that is when you need the most acceleration.
So far I have . . .
- Checked transmission fluid level . . . OK
- Added 'Instant Shudder Fixx' additive to tranny fluid . . . No improvement.
- Changed tranny fluid and filter (MotorCraft OEM parts and Mercon LV fluid) . . .some improvement.
The transmission seems to hold better during acceleration after the fluid/filter change, but will still make the noise (and RPM slip) during harder acceleration.
Me thinks it is the torque converter on its way out, but the type of noise is not the typical 'shudder' that you would get with a torque converter problem. I've also read about a 'stator clutch' (one-way clutch in the torque converter) that perhaps is wearing out.
Any thoughts, experience, ideas, etc. are welcome & appreciated.
- Am I on the right track thinking it is transmission, given the RPM fluctuation along with the noise?
My plan is to drive the truck locally and use it for the few times to launch/retrieve the boat, while continuing to monitor the issue. Then, plan for the repair at some point. Just want to make sure I am on the right track.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I am hoping to get some input (thank you!)
