Some Ford 2011-12 F-250/350 Super Duty pickup trucks with 6.7-liter diesel engines may experience a shudder from the engine while being driven at steady throttle in the 900-1400 rpm range.
Ford says the problem may be accompanied by a fluttering noise from the turbocharger, and is more noticeable at higher elevations or ambient temperatures and/or when driving up a slight incline. On some vehicles, the Check Engine light may be illuminated with trouble code P0299 logged in the PCM. Software issues in the module are the root cause of all the woes.
Begin your diagnosis by connecting a scan tool and checking for trouble codes. If any codes other than P0299 are logged, this information doesn't apply; continue troubleshooting until the causes of the drivability issues are resolved. If no codes are stored or the only code logged is the P0299, have the PCM reprogrammed with updated software. Check with a dealer for the specifics.
"Factory Fixes" is written by Jim DePalma, a 30-year veteran of the auto repair business who has served stints as a service manager, parts manager and ASE-certified technician. His column provides vehicle manufacturers' authentic factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) that have been condensed for easier reading. Mr. DePalma advises that techs always check with a dealer or repair information system for the latest revisions before starting to work on a vehicle. He can be reached via email at [email protected].