2011 Ecoboost Lariat running rough in 5th/6th
08-03-2015, 03:05 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
2011 Ecoboost Lariat running rough in 5th/6th
Hey guys!
I'm new here; I bought a new-to-me 2011 Ecoboost Lariat at the beginning of June. It ran great when I first bought it. Lots of power and smooth driving. In the past few weeks, I've noticed it starting to bog down a bit in 5th-6th gears if I'm driving under normal conditions.
If it shifts into 6th then it will run rough like a cylinder is missing when I put it under a load. If I accelerate enough to make it downshift to 5th it will smooth out. Same symptoms if I'm in 5th running at 40-ish MPH.
Really noticed it this weekend towing my 5,500 lb boat short distances. Was really bad and could feel it cutting out a bit under load going up gradual hills. A downshift to 4th mostly cleared it up but I want to get this worked out.
I've run a can of SeaFoam through a 1/2 a tank with no improvement. I'm going to check the COPs and plugs to make sure they are securely connected and the plugs aren't fouled or anything. Vehicle has 53K on it. I'm not getting any CEL's or anything to indicate that things aren't right.
Anyone have suggestions on what I should be looking for here? I'm coming from a 2004 Explorer that had this condition when the COPs would fouled. Hoping it is a similar type of thing with a simple fix.
Thanks!
I'm new here; I bought a new-to-me 2011 Ecoboost Lariat at the beginning of June. It ran great when I first bought it. Lots of power and smooth driving. In the past few weeks, I've noticed it starting to bog down a bit in 5th-6th gears if I'm driving under normal conditions.
If it shifts into 6th then it will run rough like a cylinder is missing when I put it under a load. If I accelerate enough to make it downshift to 5th it will smooth out. Same symptoms if I'm in 5th running at 40-ish MPH.
Really noticed it this weekend towing my 5,500 lb boat short distances. Was really bad and could feel it cutting out a bit under load going up gradual hills. A downshift to 4th mostly cleared it up but I want to get this worked out.
I've run a can of SeaFoam through a 1/2 a tank with no improvement. I'm going to check the COPs and plugs to make sure they are securely connected and the plugs aren't fouled or anything. Vehicle has 53K on it. I'm not getting any CEL's or anything to indicate that things aren't right.
Anyone have suggestions on what I should be looking for here? I'm coming from a 2004 Explorer that had this condition when the COPs would fouled. Hoping it is a similar type of thing with a simple fix.
Thanks!
08-03-2015, 03:42 PM
#2
Senior Member
I am not saying this is what's wrong, but I had a T-bird that did the same thing, only in high gear under a load. It ended up being a bad torque converter in the transmission.
08-03-2015, 03:45 PM
#3
Senior Member
Probably time for some new spark plugs, Motorcraft SP534.
08-03-2015, 03:56 PM
#4
Senior Member
08-03-2015, 07:12 PM
#6
Ford Customer Service
Hey guys!
I'm new here; I bought a new-to-me 2011 Ecoboost Lariat at the beginning of June. It ran great when I first bought it. Lots of power and smooth driving. In the past few weeks, I've noticed it starting to bog down a bit in 5th-6th gears if I'm driving under normal conditions.
If it shifts into 6th then it will run rough like a cylinder is missing when I put it under a load. If I accelerate enough to make it downshift to 5th it will smooth out. Same symptoms if I'm in 5th running at 40-ish MPH.
Really noticed it this weekend towing my 5,500 lb boat short distances. Was really bad and could feel it cutting out a bit under load going up gradual hills. A downshift to 4th mostly cleared it up but I want to get this worked out.
I've run a can of SeaFoam through a 1/2 a tank with no improvement. I'm going to check the COPs and plugs to make sure they are securely connected and the plugs aren't fouled or anything. Vehicle has 53K on it. I'm not getting any CEL's or anything to indicate that things aren't right.
Anyone have suggestions on what I should be looking for here? I'm coming from a 2004 Explorer that had this condition when the COPs would fouled. Hoping it is a similar type of thing with a simple fix.
Thanks!
I'm new here; I bought a new-to-me 2011 Ecoboost Lariat at the beginning of June. It ran great when I first bought it. Lots of power and smooth driving. In the past few weeks, I've noticed it starting to bog down a bit in 5th-6th gears if I'm driving under normal conditions.
If it shifts into 6th then it will run rough like a cylinder is missing when I put it under a load. If I accelerate enough to make it downshift to 5th it will smooth out. Same symptoms if I'm in 5th running at 40-ish MPH.
Really noticed it this weekend towing my 5,500 lb boat short distances. Was really bad and could feel it cutting out a bit under load going up gradual hills. A downshift to 4th mostly cleared it up but I want to get this worked out.
I've run a can of SeaFoam through a 1/2 a tank with no improvement. I'm going to check the COPs and plugs to make sure they are securely connected and the plugs aren't fouled or anything. Vehicle has 53K on it. I'm not getting any CEL's or anything to indicate that things aren't right.
Anyone have suggestions on what I should be looking for here? I'm coming from a 2004 Explorer that had this condition when the COPs would fouled. Hoping it is a similar type of thing with a simple fix.
Thanks!
Hi pet575,
If you're still stumped, please send a PM with your VIN; I'll take a look at a resource on this end.
Chad
08-06-2015, 01:04 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Guys I picked up a set of SP534's yesterday and am set to change them tonight. Guy at O'Reilly Auto Parts told me they are pre-gapped to .035. I have not verified that yet for myself but this seems entirely too large from what I've read lately.
The owner's manual says to gap the plugs at .033-.037 but I've read that the proper gap is either .028 or .030. Anybody have some solid insight on what it should be?
The owner's manual says to gap the plugs at .033-.037 but I've read that the proper gap is either .028 or .030. Anybody have some solid insight on what it should be?
Last edited by pet575; 08-06-2015 at 01:19 PM.
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08-06-2015, 01:41 PM
#8
Boost :)
They usually are gapped at .032 out of the box. I've bought about 4 sets now and they all were about there. You should be fine if you aren't tuned and if they are really gapped at that point. Many that are tuned will take it down to .030 or even .028.
08-06-2015, 03:42 PM
#9
Senior Member
I bought a couple sets of SP534s from Orielly's and they were gapped at .030
08-10-2015, 12:43 PM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Well, I got the plugs changed out and here are the results:
1. The stumble off of a start is gone. More life coming out of the blocks than I had previously.
2. The missing/shaking in 6th is improved but not completely gone. I'll drive for a few more days and see if it is just me feeling it from it being there for a few weeks or if it is improved completely.
When I pulled the old plugs they looked a little dark and sooty but not terrible. Oddly, every one of them was gapped at .040. I have no way of knowing if they were stock but the new ones were .030 out of the box so I left them alone and installed them.
1. The stumble off of a start is gone. More life coming out of the blocks than I had previously.
2. The missing/shaking in 6th is improved but not completely gone. I'll drive for a few more days and see if it is just me feeling it from it being there for a few weeks or if it is improved completely.
When I pulled the old plugs they looked a little dark and sooty but not terrible. Oddly, every one of them was gapped at .040. I have no way of knowing if they were stock but the new ones were .030 out of the box so I left them alone and installed them.