Strange Vibrations

[hardywo]

I get strange vibrations/sounds when accelerating near the lower end. I have a stick and it happens during each of the first three gears up until about 2700 rpm's. Any ideas? I had a similar problem a while back, but that was just that one of my install helpers had not properly tightened the rear drive-shaft bolts and it was wobbling. That is not the case now. Feel free to throw ideas at me since I'm out of them at this point. Thanks

 

[boominXplorer]

Is your motor a SOHC? If it is it could be the cam tensioners in the motor.

 

[manaen]

cam tensioners usually cause problems in the 3000 rpm range. sounds more transmission related if it only makes the noise in the first three gears.

can you better describe the noise it makes and what is feels like.

 

[hardywo]

It's the OHV. It's a quite noticeable vibration mainly. I can feel it through my feet on the pedals and hear it as well. It's a rumbling kind of noise. It might be related somehow, but my shifter has always vibrated, even when idling...I'll just be sitting still and the stick is quite noticeably shaking around. That's been that way for two years, but these new issue started just within the last few weeks.

 

[hardywo]

It sounds almost like it's going to stall on me. It's that same feeling/sound you get just before the engine cuts off when it stalls (almost like sputtering). The other issue that I'm sure is related is that for about a month, I've been having rough start-ups if it's been parked for a few hours. It's the worst in the mornings, but it rumbles in a similar manner that I can also feel happening. The rpm's then drop and raise on their own. After a minute or two it goes away, but if I try to take off before that, the engine hesitates and doesn't want to go.

 

[hardywo]

Does anyone think this could be related to me needing a new clutch? The last time a real mechanic drove my truck, he said that the reason it sticks and has trouble going into gear sometimes is because I need a new clutch. Just throwing it out there, but I know this is something I need to do soon anyway.

 

[manaen]

It has nothing to do with needing a clutch. And the reason your tranny sticks is not the clutch it is the slave cylinder that disengages the clutch. The shifter vibration is pretty normal for that transmission.

BTW - the OHV engine is a great engine, it gets nicked for it sluggish power, but it has great low end torque and if well maintained will run forever.

Anyway back to the real problem. Is the check engine light on? when was the last time you did a tuneup on it (plugs, wires, etc...) It could be as simple as bad spark plug wire(s)

 

[hardywo]

It has nothing to do with needing a clutch. And the reason your tranny sticks is not the clutch it is the slave cylinder that disengages the clutch. The shifter vibration is pretty normal for that transmission.

BTW - the OHV engine is a great engine, it gets nicked for it sluggish power, but it has great low end torque and if well maintained will run forever.

Anyway back to the real problem. Is the check engine light on? when was the last time you did a tuneup on it (plugs, wires, etc...) It could be as simple as bad spark plug wire(s)

So is the slave cylinder something fairly easy to fix/replace? I've never dealt with that before. Also, it makes a grinding noise sometimes (mainly when switching between 1st and Reverse). Yes, the check engine light came on last week, but I think it's the air filter. I'm due to change that and my oil this week and the code it threw was the P0171 - engine too lean. I cleared it at Autozone, but it came back three days later. I changed my plugs about a month ago, but I have not changed the wires recently. Any other ideas, or things to check on? I've owned it for just over 2 years now and the only maintenance I've done has been oil changes and filter changes (air regularly and fuel once over the summer). Thanks for the ideas.

 

[brianjwilson]

So is the slave cylinder something fairly easy to fix/replace? I've never dealt with that before. Also, it makes a grinding noise sometimes (mainly when switching between 1st and Reverse). Yes, the check engine light came on last week, but I think it's the air filter. I'm due to change that and my oil this week and the code it threw was the P0171 - engine too lean. I cleared it at Autozone, but it came back three days later. I changed my plugs about a month ago, but I have not changed the wires recently. Any other ideas, or things to check on? I've owned it for just over 2 years now and the only maintenance I've done has been oil changes and filter changes (air regularly and fuel once over the summer). Thanks for the ideas.

The slave cylinder is not easy. It is actually inside the transmission bellhousing. Might as well replace the clutch if you have to dig into it anyway. $$
Never heard of an air filter cause a CEL..? If the engine was not getting air, it would make the mixture rich. Too much fuel, not enough air.
Might be worth it to go to the stealership and have them hook it up to a real diagnostics computer.

 

[hardywo]

The slave cylinder is not easy. It is actually inside the transmission bellhousing. Might as well replace the clutch if you have to dig into it anyway. $$
Never heard of an air filter cause a CEL..? If the engine was not getting air, it would make the mixture rich. Too much fuel, not enough air.
Might be worth it to go to the stealership and have them hook it up to a real diagnostics computer.

Thanks for the advice about the cylinder. I was planning on having an actual mechanic take care of the clutch soon anyhow so I'll bring that up too. As far as the air filter, the computer gave me codes P0171 and P0174 before saying both banks were running lean. The guy at Autozone recommended an air filter change. I've changed them with each oil change since and haven't had the problem for almost a year. But back to the rumbling/shaking/worrying...any other ideas about that?

 

[manaen]

The slave cylinder is definitely not an easy fix, as the whole tranny needs to come down to remove it. If you going to that extent as BW said replace the clutch, pressure plate, resurface the flywheel as part of the slave cylinder replacement.

I don't think the air filter is the problem, it would probably be a great idea to clean the MAF and IAC. Do a few cycles of fuel injector cleaner through the tank.

I suspect you have a vacuum leak that is causing a lean condition. Check all your vacuum lines for proper connection and condition.

The other possibilities are bad fuel pressure regulator (FPR) which is causing low fuel pressure which would lead to a lean condition. Or maybe clogged injectors or fuel filter, but these 2 usually show more sign through the entire rpm range.

 

[hardywo]

Hey Rusty, thanks for the advice, but do you have any tips on cleaning the MAF and IAC? Also, since I'll probably be replacing vacuum hoses, do you know of any place where I can get colored hoses for a good price? Thanks again.

 

[manaen]

There is a how to thread here on cleanind both the MAF and the IAC do a search and they will come up. As far as colored vacume lines I would start with either www.jcwhitney.com or www.summitracing.com they both have good prices on stuff like that.

To make it easier for you I included a few links, but a search will reveal so much more information

here is the IAC cleaning thread
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84220&highlight=clean+IAC

Here is a great thread on cleaning the MAF
http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184766&highlight=spring+cleaning