The F150 is one of the best (if not the best) pickup trucks on the market today; it is robust, durable, and a workhorse.
However, just like any other vehicle, it is prone to mechanical problems. One of the most common issues that F150 owners face is shaking when idling.
In this article, I am going to discuss the possible causes of this problem, as well as provide you with steps on how to fix it. read on!
F150 Shaking When Idling Common Causes
From my experience, there are three common causes of f150 vibrations when idling:
1. Engine Misfire
The most common cause of f150 shaking when idling is a misfire. An engine misfire (cylinder misfire) is when one or more of the cylinders do not fire properly, causing a rough idle and shaking.
There are a number of issues that can cause a misfire on your F-150 including:
- Bad Spark Plugs: If your spark plugs are bad, then they will not produce a spark which will cause the engine to misfire. This is probably one of the most common causes of a misfire on your Ford truck.
- Bad Ignition Coil: A bad ignition coil can also cause an engine to misfire due to improper voltage and/or current flow. If you have replaced your spark plugs but still have problems with them, then it may be time to replace your ignition coil as well.
- Faulty Injectors: Fuel injectors play a crucial role in the performance and operation of your vehicle. If your injectors are faulty, then they will not be able to deliver fuel to the engine properly which can cause it to misfire.
- Bad Fuel Pressure Regulator: If your fuel pressure regulator is defective, then it will not be able to regulate proper fuel flow into the engine which can also cause a misfire.
- Faulty Fuel Pump: If your fuel pump is faulty, then it will not be able to deliver the amount of fuel required by the engine which can cause a misfire.
The best way to tell if what’s causing your F150 to shake/vibrate while idling is a misfire is by plugging in the OBD scanner; if you get code P0300 then you have a cylinder misfire.
2. Bad Motor Mounts
Another common cause of shaking/vibration in F150s is bad motor mounts.
Bad motor mounts cause your engine to vibrate excessively because they are not properly securing the engine which allows it to move around while you idling.
When driving it’s hard to notice the vibration, but when you are idling, it’s very noticeable because your engine is not being used as much and it causes more movement inside the engine bay.
In general, the engine mounts last a very long time, but if you use your F150 daily and drive in hilly terrain, they can wear out much faster.
3. Vacuum Leak
The Final potential cause of shaking in F150s is a vacuum leak.
Vacuum leaks occur when there is a hole or crack in your intake system that causes air to be drawn into the engine instead of being sucked out by the vacuum pump.
This will cause the motor to run too lean as a result it can cause problems with your idle, as well as power loss when accelerating.
On a Ford F-150, the most common vacuum leak is behind the intake manifold.
The best way to find a vacuum leak is with a smoke test. This is where you spray soapy water on all of your hoses and connections and look for bubbles.
If you find a leak in one of the hoses, replace it with an OEM part from Ford Motor Company or another trusted manufacturer.
How To Fix a Ford F150 that Shakes When Idling
Now that I have shown you how to diagnose a Ford F-150 that shakes when idling, let’s talk about how to fix the issue!
The first thing I recommend that you do is to get the car diagnosed using Onboard Diagnostics.
The reason is that there are many things that could be causing your Ford F-150 to shake when idling, and it’s important that you know what they are before spending any money on repairs.
If the problem turns out to be a simple fix, like a bad spark plug or bad coil packs, then you won’t have wasted any time or money troubleshooting the issue!
If there are no misfire-related codes,y then check for any vacuum leaks and/or motor mounts.