Hello all, these forums have been great to read and have been a source of valuable info! Many thanks!

Currently my 03 Outlander just one day started to spudder-shake-hesitate when coasting at low speeds (30-45mph) 4th gear, RPMs 1600-1900- this car hasbeen nothing but all good sence I got it, and now that it is doing something bad I am very sad and want to take care of the car!

at first I thought it may have been some bad gas- that had some water in it, so I got some seafoam additive during my last fill up- and just got its oil changed, also I did a cleaning on the air intake and thor body... no change.

When the shuddering/shake/hesitation happens- I am slightly on the gas to maintain my speed, but not gain or loose any speed when it happens if I accelerate or let off the gas it stops- if I maintain a slight acceleration it never does it. It also happens on cruise controll.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas- I was thinking to check and swap out the spark plugs- I am sure this thing is due for a little tune up.

2003 Blue/Grey Mitsubishi Outlander 44k miles 2wd

thanks in advance!

 

Does it feel like something is stuck or something is inside the engine? such as does it make weird sounds it did not make before? when it is not moving?

Have you taken the Outlander to the dealership to get the engine checked?

Last time something like that happen to me it was the engine and the dealership charged me $300 for a check up and gave me a notice that the engine may need to be replaced soon (engine itself was $5000 + labour).

 

it idles fine- for as long as it needs with no shuddering stumbeling or anything- just only at the 1600-2000 rpm range in 4th gear- while giving it only a small amount on the gas- it runs like a kitten any other time- accelerating, high speed driving 55+ mpg , or coasting w/o any pressure to the gas...

if it was something inside, the throt body/intake cleaning should have changed it somewhat- as that breaks up and cleans any carbon that can get in there- if it was something in the gas lines- the cleaner should have changed it some...not that it is a cure all- but it usualy does something.

 

Maybe the spark plugs need changing? Engine misfire?

 

Took it to my dealer, and drve the tech around so I could make it do its thing.

They siad it is my transmition and I need a 159$ flush and- I quote "Do not just go anywhere to get this done, get it done here- other shops will use the wrong fluid."

So, my extended warrenty covers all sorts of things, I thought I just bought power train but I guess I got basically everything- 100$ deductable so thats good- anywho the dealership said (and its true) that if the flush does not fix it and it needs a new tranny or lots of motor work that the insurance co will want matinance records...well I bought the car at 29k miles and tranny flush was due at 30k...so I could argue that it was not my responcebility bla bla bla- that from the time I got it I could only assume all proper maitnance was done- well we know how that goes.

So...next friday I will prolly have /them/ do my trans flush even tho its 70$+ what it should be- but if I ever do any real work on the thing that the insurance covers I would want it done by the dealership.

In the meantime I was thinking about putting some lucas trans fix in it- that stuff took my slipping, clunking 1999 Jeep transmition from needing replacement to working great for 50k miles...I mean it is all going to be flushed anywho so... ;-)

 

What's the milage on your outlander now?

 

LOL I thought I bought the thing at 35k or 36k..apparently it was 29k ;-) it was very low on the miles for an 03- right now it is at 44k still not alot compaired to my jeep that I put 44k miles on alone in slightly under 2 years

 

[hr]if you put in any additives, make sure you don't mention it to the dealership. they may use it as an excuse to refuse you service by saying that is what caused the problem.

 

I would go even further and not put in the additive at this point, If the final estimate is in the thousands of dollars, they will look for any excuse to not cover it, and having put in an additive is the perfect excuse, even if you don't tell them, they might have the fluid analysed and find out. If they end up not wanting to pay even without having put in the additive, than I would try the additive since you have nothing to loose.