I have a 2000YR ford V10 chassis on a thor hurricane. The RV has 25,000 miles. When we recently took a trip from New York to Nashville TN, I noticed that the engine surges a bit at idle.Even driving off from a stand still ( like a red light ), the engine idle surging causes some minor surging of the transmission and drivetrain and causes the motorhome itself to jerk a very small but perceptible amount I also noticed that during our trip, that on hard acceleration climbing a long hill that there was also surging of power from the engine and some surging of the truck drivetrain itself and the motorhome as a whole while climbing a hill. Any suggestions as to why this might be occurring ?? Thanks in advance for any replies and assistance.

It's a 2000 MY chassis? If it's a 1999 it would have EGR and there's a few things known to be trouble on those.If it's a 2000, water ingestion and coils are known problem spots.

I actually believe it is a 1999YR chassis but the motorhome was built upon it and registered as a 2000YR I will check later today. Thanks

What are the issues with the EGR if mine is a 1999 chassis as I suspect it is, ?

I'd be very suspicious of a massive vacuum leak. Vacuum not only controls the idle-air-control valve, but also the EGR valve and even the fuel pressure regulator. The soft vacuum lines (like elbows and even some of the short vacuum lines) are rubber which gets brittle and cracks over time. And, for some reason rodents find the plastic vacuum lines tasty.

I would check or have someone check the Throttle Position Sensor. I had the same symptoms on my previously owned 99 Winnebago Chieftain. I bought the part at a local auto parts store. The sensor is on the Left side Drivers side of the Throttle body and is held on by 2 Phillips screws.

Ford V10 engine surging idle and power , help please ??

carp65
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015
While on I-35 in OK, driving in a rain storm, our V-10 began running very
poorly, surging and losing power. Made it to an RV repair place and when
I explained the problem to the tech he knew immediately what was wrong. Our
air filter had collapsed and the motor was being starved for air. Repair took
less than a half hour and the motor purred like a kitten.
kratedisease
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015
Just wanted to thank everyone for their input, and I just got my motorhome back from the shop. It was 3 bad coils that were causing all the problems.

I bought ten new delphi brand coils on ebay and had the repair shop install them.

The motorhome drives like brand new again.

Thanks to everyone who posted with helpful tips and solutions.

Thanks again
mc_cc
Explorer
Aug 26, 2015
Had the same problem. I had a small leak in one of my coolant hoses leaking down onto one of the spark plugs causing it to misfire. New spark plugs and hoses took care of the problem. Hope you find the problem.
2bzy2c
Explorer II
Aug 26, 2015
Any news or updates?
JRandall
Explorer
Aug 22, 2015
Perhaps center or carrier bearing on driveshaft... worn out it might produce your symptoms. You'll be able to check it when you check the driveshaft.
kratedisease
Explorer
Aug 22, 2015
Will check the driveshaft also regardless just to be sure, (thanks for the idea)

BUT I am wondering if the U joints would cause problems if I have not changed my speed traveling, and I only get the shaking/ pulsing/ lugging when the engine downshifts to rev higher to climb a hill.
cj7365
Explorer
Aug 22, 2015
if your in neutral and rev the engine is there vibration from the engine?

if no, then its drivetrain related, u-joints,

just go underneath, and try to move the drive shaft, feel for play in the ujoints, check the center mount on the drive shaft as well
Johno02
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
Take it to a good Ford Truck mechanic. Those engines are not that complicated, and good mechanics wil modern electronic diagnosis tools should be able to find your problem quickly. The engine is not difficult to get to in those models. most likely your problem is either electronics or vacuum.
kratedisease
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
okhmbldr wrote:
Have the u-joints checked.

But it ONLY occurs on downshifting hard acceleration. No other time is the vibration present
kratedisease
Explorer
Aug 21, 2015
cj7365 wrote:
wheels need balancing, maybe a weight fell off, check your tire pressure, maybe one of your inside tires are flat.

Check your drive line, crawl underneath and check your u joint on your drive shaft.

does is feel like its in the steering?

Appreciate the post but this only occurs on full acceleration and is drivetrain or engine related.

My tires and all are balanced

This is an engine/transmission/drivetrain problem for sure

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Ford V10 engine surging idle and power , help please ??

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