2012 F150 - Engine Stutter
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2012 F150 - Engine Stutter - New Engine & Turbos
Hey all, first post here! I've been browsing the forms for my issue but never posted before, so bear with me. I’ve got a 2012 F150 XLT 3.5 with 230k miles, and I just had the engine and both turbos replaced by an independent shop. I drove it home after the work was done, but on my way to work the next morning, I noticed a weird engine stutter around 2k RPM, especially under load (like going uphill). It would keep stuttering unless I pushed the throttle down almost to the floor, at which point it would smooth out.
Also, the truck was drinking gas like crazy, only getting around 8 MPG, and my catch can would fill up in a day of driving.
I took it back to the shop, and they found that the passenger-side turbo wasn’t plugged in, so they fixed that. Unfortunately, the stutter was still there. The mechanic wasn’t sure what was causing it since they didn’t have the tools to diagnose turbo boost issues. Desperate, I took it to a Ford dealer, and they diagnosed it as a bad wastegate solenoid, so they replaced it. I was told that would fix the issue... but 5 minutes after leaving the dealer, the stutter came back.
I drove it home, and the next day, I noticed oil leaking down the side of the engine around the spark plug tubes. When I pulled a ignition coil from the passenger side, oil was filled in the tube (not in the cylinder). Took it back to Ford, and they replaced the valve covers, gaskets, spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel sending unit (which should’ve been done by the shop), and something to fix a small evap leak. After a $5k bill, I got the truck back with a bit more power, but the stutter was still there.
I brought it back into the service bay, and they said they’d need to do more diagnostics. By this point, I’ve already put nearly $18k into the truck over the course of a month, and I’m way too deep to scrap it now. Ford finally called and said they think it’s the driver-side turbo causing the issue as far as they can tell (yet again, they are not 100% sure, its just the next step they can rule out) , so I’ve filed a warranty on the turbo and have driver and passenger side dropped off at ford today and now I’m waiting for them to replace the turbos (they’re backed up and won’t get to it for another two weeks).
I’ve been told it could be the wastegate solenoid, spark plugs, fuel sending unit, purge valve or even the turbos which all these are brand new with maybe 400 miles on them.. and the parts ford replaced not even 4 miles. But I’m starting to lose faith in the whole thing. If this turbo replacement doesn’t fix it, what should I be looking at next? Ford’s running out of ideas, and I’m running out of patience and options. Anyone here had a similar issue, or have any ideas of what could be causing this outside of turbos?
Appreciate any help or advice. Thanks!
(I have attached a video, when it does this im slightly over 2k RPM and the RPM will bounce up and down)
Also, the truck was drinking gas like crazy, only getting around 8 MPG, and my catch can would fill up in a day of driving.
I took it back to the shop, and they found that the passenger-side turbo wasn’t plugged in, so they fixed that. Unfortunately, the stutter was still there. The mechanic wasn’t sure what was causing it since they didn’t have the tools to diagnose turbo boost issues. Desperate, I took it to a Ford dealer, and they diagnosed it as a bad wastegate solenoid, so they replaced it. I was told that would fix the issue... but 5 minutes after leaving the dealer, the stutter came back.
I drove it home, and the next day, I noticed oil leaking down the side of the engine around the spark plug tubes. When I pulled a ignition coil from the passenger side, oil was filled in the tube (not in the cylinder). Took it back to Ford, and they replaced the valve covers, gaskets, spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel sending unit (which should’ve been done by the shop), and something to fix a small evap leak. After a $5k bill, I got the truck back with a bit more power, but the stutter was still there.
I brought it back into the service bay, and they said they’d need to do more diagnostics. By this point, I’ve already put nearly $18k into the truck over the course of a month, and I’m way too deep to scrap it now. Ford finally called and said they think it’s the driver-side turbo causing the issue as far as they can tell (yet again, they are not 100% sure, its just the next step they can rule out) , so I’ve filed a warranty on the turbo and have driver and passenger side dropped off at ford today and now I’m waiting for them to replace the turbos (they’re backed up and won’t get to it for another two weeks).
I’ve been told it could be the wastegate solenoid, spark plugs, fuel sending unit, purge valve or even the turbos which all these are brand new with maybe 400 miles on them.. and the parts ford replaced not even 4 miles. But I’m starting to lose faith in the whole thing. If this turbo replacement doesn’t fix it, what should I be looking at next? Ford’s running out of ideas, and I’m running out of patience and options. Anyone here had a similar issue, or have any ideas of what could be causing this outside of turbos?
Appreciate any help or advice. Thanks!
(I have attached a video, when it does this im slightly over 2k RPM and the RPM will bounce up and down)
Last edited by NoviceTruckOwner; Feb 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 10
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From: Slovakia EU
Hi guys. I want to ask for your advice. I have a 3.5V6, 2018 year. Every morning I hear a loud rattling sound when starting my car. After a few seconds it stops and the engine runs smoothly. I have this since the new car. I now have 125,000 km. But those morning starts are very noisy. I thought thicker oil in the engine would help. But I went back to 30W50. Maybe a hydraulic chain tensioner? Does anyone know? Thanks for the info.
