So I have a 2018 F-150 with the 5.0 V8, it has 23k miles on it. For the last couple weeks, it has been shuddering real bad when you step on the throttle. I initially thought maybe I got some bad gas, so I kept on driving it, and went through a couple more tanks, and the problem never totally went away. It would come and go. I could be driving it, it would be shaking real bad, I'd turn the truck off, turn it back on, and it would be fine. I also noticed that while this is occuring, the air conditioner is blowing warm air. So while the truck is misfiring, the compressor quits working for whatever reason. I took it to the dealership and I explained that the truck is shuddering going down the road when I step on the throttle and it only happens every other day. .If you let off the throttle, it can coast down the road just fine without any shaking issues. The person at Ford who checked my vehicle in started inspecting my tires (I have a lifted truck with 35 inch tires), asked me when I had my tires rotated, asked me who installed the lift kit, etc. In my mind I am like "suspension and tires wouldn't cause the truck to misfire and have the AC stop working". After a couple of days they called me and told me it was throwing a code for P0207 - fuel injector malfunctioning. The technician inspected the injector wires and said there was nothing wrong. They drove the truck 23 miles, it ran like a "champ". So I went to pick it up. But the thing is - they didn't actually fix anything. Sure enough it drove fine on the way home, and the next day it's acting up again. It is so frustrating when you have an issue that doesn't occur all the time, because the Ford dealership doesn't know how to or want to fix it. I know the vehicle is acting up -but if it isn't acting up while it's in their possession, they aren't going to take me seriously. I am at my wit's end, please give me some advise! Thank you.

 

Try another dealer. If its throwing a code they should be able to isolate the issue pretty easily.

 

The code isn't always there. When I drop it off at the dealer, the code could go away. Shutting the truck off clears the check engine light. It's rather frustrating.

But I think I might try another dealer just in case. The code just says the injector isn't working properly, which could be a PCM issue, or the wiring, or the injector itself. I just don't understand why it only happens sometimes and not all the time.

 

You have 2 choices. Take it immediately to the dealer when it is acting up, don't turn it off when you get there, and have the service manager go for a ride with you. Ask them to hook up the recording computer where you push a button when it starts acting up so that it records various parameters that the dealer can look at to help troubleshoot the issue. They are currently giving you nothing but lip service.

 

My truck started intermittently shaking violently and throwing all sorts of lights on the dash including check engine until I'd shut it off and turn it back on. Got some throttle body cleaner and a tooth brush, cleaned it for about ten mins(until it was clear fluid running out of the throttle body instead of black), started it, let it idle for 5 mins, problem solved. It will idle like crap for a few mins after starting but will eventually smooth out.

 

While the engine light may not be on the codes will be stored & available for any reader to read. The code doesn't just go away. You're assumption of how this works is wrong. You need to find a competent dealer.

 

From the WSM:

Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Modules that produce diagnostic trouble codes have a program that evaluates system conditions, normally while the vehicle or system is in use. Module inputs can be checked for values indicating an electrical fault with the monitoring circuit or component. Module outputs can be monitored for correct function. Codes are stored when predefined limits are exceeded and retained even if the ignition is turned off (generally a DTC is retained for 40+ ignition cycles). Not all continuous codes have a matching on-demand code - and vice versa. This varies with different modules. For example, some network communication codes are continuous only. It is important to note that the presence of a continuous DTC does not guarantee that the fault currently exists.

 

With such a code, you should demand it to get fixed. It's an obvious proof that something is wrong. It's not your problem what it is, but theirs. It's possible they change the injector and it's the coil, or whatever the case, but at least they'd be trying to fix the issue. The code should tell techs which cylinder is acting up, so it should be something simple on a newer truck, like spark plug, coil, or injector. Good luck.

 

Yes, it's cylinder #7. All they did last time was check the wires. It's probably the fuel injector itself going bad. I took a Pic of my check engine light being on to show them that I'm not making this up and I'm dropping it off again tomorrow.

 

Remember the 2018 has dual fuel injection, port and direct. Each cylinder has two injectors so what was simple is not as easy as it used to be.