So I drove home from work tonight and went to pick up pizza. When I fired the truck up to come home it was idleing really rough, shaking the steering wheel and seat. It did this for a couple of stoplights and then seemed to quit. No weird sounds or loss of power. I bought the truck with 97500 miles and it has 98800 on it now. I changed the oil and fuel filter the day after I bought it. The truck was up to temp and it was 43F out when it did it. I bought fuel today and added power service, but it only took 12 gallons of fuel so I doubt it would be bad fuel. Anyone have any ideas on things to check?

 

My 03 was just in the dealership a fews days ago for what seems to be the same thing.It seems that it does not matter it the outside temp is warm or cold,but it often seems that it has sat for 8 hours or more before being started.Although it seems ok when it has been plugged in.When I have started it and it does this it runs like a v8 on two cylinders and rpms jump around ,sometimes stalls.Most times I can keep it running by working the throttle then after a short time it starts to act normal again.
The shop did an injector test-ok.Then they tested the fuel pressure relief valve(not exact name for it)and it failed so they replaced it on warrenty($800.00)But the next day it was doing it again.It is going back on tuesday.Good luck with yours.One guy suggests injectors.Check out posts in the Alberta chapter.

 

Thanks for the reply. Mine didn't want to die or anything, didn't even notice the tach jumping much. It just vibrated really bad. It reminded me of my dads 4.0l jeep. I fear injector problems, what would I look for to find a bad injector. It does get bad milege, like 12-13 mixed driving with 37in tires. I got a buddy with a second gen with 37s that gets 16. My truck never smokes and the oil still looks new and doesn't seem to be rising in level.

 

Has it thrown any codes?I`m not much of a techie,but the combination of the taller tires and certain axle ratios,winter fuel and how hard some of us can be on the pedal,can certainly make a difference in the mpgs.

 

no it hasn't thrown any codes. I am very easy on the pedal. I am experimenting with blocking off the radiator to build some heat. It never gets up to temp on my commute, and I think this may be part of my problem.

 

Sounds like a bad FCA.Do a search on FCA (fuel control actuator) If adding a lube to the fuel like power service or two stroke ashless and problem clears up and then when fuel needed again and nothing added and it returns itas a sticking FCA.

 

I'm surprised it hasn't tossed a code or two. Are you using a code reader or doing the key thing? When my '03 started doing this, it wasn't long before it set the CEL. I was 1/2 way into a 1200 mile trip when it started and when I got back it still wasn't bad, but went bad within a few days. Turned out to be a dying (then dead) #1 injector. Dealer replaced it under warrantee at 97.5k miles.

OK, second item is your commute. Do some reading on this and you will find that when an engine cools, water (very little) condenses in the bottom end. When you restart, the water mixes with the oil and when you reach operating temp, it burn off. If you never reach operation temp, it never burns off. When it cools down again, more condensate. Then something about acid and your engine wearing out sooner than you wanted. . . I don't know all the details as I didn't pay much attention as I have a 37 mile comute. The good news is, the temp guage is your water temp. Your oil warms up quicker. You will need a reader to monitor the oil temp.
Time for more coffee . . .

 

I guess I should have said it didn't set a cel, not, it didn't throw codes. I haven't checked for those yet.

 

The coolant normally warms faster than the oil, since it is thermostatically controlled.

 

Well I can't help you on the knocking but I do have a suggestion for the operating temp. Mine wouldn't ever get to operating temp unless it was above 60 degrees outside. What I did was take a peice of cardboard and cut it so that it would fit between the intercooler and the radiatorto block all air from the intercooler. I then cut a 8" diameter hole in the center then lined it with packing tape to keep it from getting wet.

I can drive for about 10 mins and it would be up to operation temp and even when the outside air is around 60 it never gets above around 200 degree's. I finaly have heat in her!! It is just like the winter front except it's the poor mans version, and you can just fold it up and put it under the seat. Hope it help's at least with your temps.

Dave