Mechanical issues with V-10

To Tom Test out there in Okie country, thanks for the reply. It has some engine irregularities which may be what you described. I have it in a shop and although they have not seemed to get working on mine they suggested they had ruled out driveshaft issues, not sure if that rules out everything in the driveline. I am having difficulty getting anyone to get down and work on it. Ford sort of shirked it claiming tires out of balance. ( wasn't) amd did not more. I have had it at this truck repair place going on 3 weeks with no work yet.I was wondering if I went "up" in the Ford organization if I could not get some influence to make a local dealer really work on it. Another truck mechanic told me no one including Ford wants to work on them because many of the parts are different and time consuming to get ordered into the shop. Depressed Doug

In 14 years I've not had a roughness problem. I suspect one or more cylinders are not properly firing. It could be ignition, fouled plugs or defective coils (these engines are coil on plug). It could be clogged fuel injectors; while these engines are manifold injection, there is an injector for each intake port. The engine control computer probably knows what is happening, so it would be useful to read the onboard diagnostics codes. Rough running is not usually a transmission problem.

Another source of vibration, but not roughness, would be the driveline, most often an out of balance driveshaft or worn U-joints. RV chassis get extended, extended driveshafts have to be fabricated, not always well balanced. But vibration, not running roughness.

Thought unit actually vibrated yesterday some before even moved. Today did not notice that. Took to an honest tran. shop. Guy said it seemed to shift ok but the vibration could result from the torque converter. Went to try to read codes and no read out. Had no owners manual so other fuse box not located. I just bought a Haynes manual. The tran. mechanic also said the engine missing could cause the vibration. Have another appt. Tues with truck mechanics. It is a 350 not a 450. Thanks Doug

You can set a code without turning on the Check Engine Light. My '99 V10 had 2 bad coils and never set a code or CEL. However, using a code reader is the best place to start to keep you from replacing good parts or chasing down a rabbit hole.

Thanks again for responses. I drove unit again today. Vibration even begins at 5 mph. After a 10-15 min. drive i admit it may not be transmission related. i have no engine lights. It will take another spin for me to be even clearer. I usually go for the chevy's. I think this ford has the I-beam steering set up below. This is another issue. There seems to be some play slop in the steering that has always been a priority with me. I guess even at 45k miles there could be some loose parts in front end, and I do not know if previous owners did any of that under work like steering stabilizers etc. If I am driving cross country that can ennerve me as I am a control freak. Any suggestions there? I will take it in for evaluation Thursday. Doug

ol' yeller wrote:
Rough running on that vintage V10 could also likely be one or more bad coil packs. The rubber boot around the coil pack deteriorates and cracks with age and lets water down around the plug and shorts out the coil.

To add, the plugs are down in a well in the head which holds water remarkably well depite the high temps under the hood. Also the V10 runs remarkably well with several plugs misfiring.

Usually tranny problems would be things like slipping or mis shifting.

Go to your FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) and borrow (or rent) an engine code reader. That is the best place to start. You can't mess up your engine using one.

Thanks to all for response on rough riding V-10. I need to drive it again to be more specific. If several things are sort of fusing to cause my symptoms it becomes vague to me exactly what is going on. I would like to know if it did have transmission issues what would be the symptoms. I wonder about the guy who sold it to me. Seemed like a nice guy and not obviously dishonest but when he opened the hood the battery had alot of corrosion on it and to go for the oil stick he first pulled out the trans stick before finding the oil stick. It was a legitimate title and he seemed to know all about the house part. Nice to be on the forum and to hear from other RV'ers I had a nice Toy and mechanics messed it up so i have been without one for 2 years. Doug

Rough running on that vintage V10 could also likely be one or more bad coil packs. The rubber boot around the coil pack deteriorates and cracks with age and lets water down around the plug and shorts out the coil.

Have fun with seafoam. If fuel filter is in bypass mode because its plugged up be prepared to pull every injector and remove **** from injector screens that got pushed forward from Filter being plugged

Pull code
Change fuel filter
Test fuel pressure
Before going to next steps of necessary

Running rough sounds like engine and not so likely trans. That old but low miles, fuel system is a good place to start. X3 on the seafoam trial.