2004 Ford Escape shuddering?

[MrH]

I was carpooling with my roommate today.  He has a 2004 Ford Escape.  V6 AWD with about 140k-150k miles.

It started when we were at a stand still.  Engine started shuddering.  Not a consistent shake, just basically like "kicks".  At first I actually thought it was the bass from the Mustang next to us I was feeling, but something in the drive train was just getting occasional kicks. Happened in short spurts of maybe 5-10 "kicks" too while on the highway every couple minutes.  No codes were thrown.  Any one have any idea what this could be?

Felt like there was a baby in the oven.  Is the Escape pregnant? How is babby formed?

[2o6]

Dirty MAF causing it to idle weird?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Dirty MAF causing it to idle weird?

It's always the MAF with you. I think your MAF is dirty.

Hard to say. Misfires always throw codes after drive cycles are complete.

Could be any sensor, ignition, or fuel problem. I think it's time for a c-section.

[CJ]

Could be something with the AWD?  Rear differential binding?

[Eye of the Tiger]

I was thinking that it could be that the clutch is out of adjustment, and therefore no longer fully disengaging.

[shp4man]

150K, probably never had a spark plug change because you have to take off the intake manifold. It's an 80% chance it's a bad coil. It will likely need plugs, too.
You need to look at the PCM mode 6 data to see where it's misfiring and replace those coils.

That'll be $102 dollars for the diagnosis. 

[FoMoJo]

I agree with a bad coil.  One of mine went at about that distance.

[sparkplug]

tires probably need air...

[S204STi]

I'd start with checking spark and fuel, and see how those are doing.

[J86]

150K, probably never had a spark plug change because you have to take off the intake manifold. It's an 80% chance it's a bad coil. It will likely need plugs, too.
You need to look at the PCM mode 6 data to see where it's misfiring and replace those coils.

That'll be $102 dollars for the diagnosis. 

I've got a 2003 Mazda6 V6 that has that some GODDAMN STUPID FEATURE of needing to remove the intake manifold to access something so basic as a freaking sparkplug.  I had the same shuddering issue a couple of months ago, which ended up being bad coils.  Thanks Ford, for turning what should have been a simple job into an access nightmare.

[sportyaccordy]

Sounds like motor mount. Would "kick" on any kind of sudden change in load. On highway I imagine trans is fully locked, so any kick ups or downs will prompt clunk. Slush would mask on take off. Best bet, go to engine when its cold and just try to rock the motherfucker. It shouldn't move much, if at all. If it feels loose in anyway... prob a mount.

I dont buy the MAF or spark plugs cause the engine would run rough and have other symptoms. You can have a healthy motor on bad mounts.

That thing sounds like a fuel economy nightmare.

[AutobahnSHO]

bad motor mounts can also sometimes be seen while looking at the engine and having someone rev it.

[shp4man]

I've got a 2003 Mazda6 V6 that has that some GODDAMN STUPID FEATURE of needing to remove the intake manifold to access something so basic as a freaking sparkplug.  I had the same shuddering issue a couple of months ago, which ended up being bad coils.  Thanks Ford, for turning what should have been a simple job into an access nightmare.

Some Toyotas and BMW's have the same setup. Engineers don't give a shit about ease of service. 

[MrH]

Bad coils.

+1 to Fomojo and shp4man on this one.  You guys are good.  Thing still drives like absolute crap I think but hey, at least it goes.

[MrH]

Some Toyotas and BMW's have the same setup. Engineers don't give a shit about ease of service. 

Yeah, ease of manufacturing is infinitely more important to OEMs.  No reason to add cost to the manufacturing process in order to save cost on potential repairs waaaaay down the road.

[J86]

Bad coils.

+1 to Fomojo and shp4man on this one.  You guys are good.  Thing still drives like absolute crap I think but hey, at least it goes.

I confirmed w my anecdotal experience