Car Shake At Idle But Smooth Out While Driving is a widespread problem among car owners, and it has a few very simple solutions too! If you too are irritated with this annoying issue with your car, then you can try the following methods to fix this. The methods are – 1. Check the car tires, 2. Check the engine mounts, 3. Go to the nearest car servicing center.
You know, in this problem with your car, the main thing you need to do is to figure out what is triggering this issue. Though it is a very common problem, it can be caused by single or multiple minor facts in your car.
I know you love your car very much, and it disturbs you if you see any problematic issues in your car. I know you desperately want to make your car problem-free.
And that is why I am writing this article only for you so that you can solve this issue of your car without getting worried about the health of your car.
So, let’s start!
What Causes A Car To Shake At Idle But Smooth Out While Driving?
If your car shakes at idle but smooths out while driving, then it can be a result of various issues like faulty spark plugs, engine mount issues, fuel injectors, etc. below I have discussed all the reasons thoroughly for you so that you can easily understand the key reasons behind this small but annoying issue of your favorite car.
- Engine Mount Issues
If the motor mounts of the car are broken or damaged, the engine will shake heavily when you idle the car. It will turn to normal when you will start to drive it again, because then the engine will get better support, and thus the shaking will stop.
- Damaged Spark Plugs
If the spark plug of the engine of your car is damaged, then it can cause excessive shaking of the car engine while idling. It happens because the spark plug is the part of your car that ignites the fuel into the car engine. That is why if the spark plug is damaged, then the ignition process also gets hampered.
- Fuel Injectors Are Blocked
Fuel injectors get blocked as time flies. It is a natural thing in cars. But when fuel injectors get blocked, the fuel cannot reach the engine of the car. When your car is idle, the fuel that is delivered to the car engine is very less in amount, and that can cause the engine to shake if the fuel injectors are blocked.
- Loose Or Completely Broken Vacuum Hoses
Vacuum hoses are the parts of your car that carry air to the car engine. The engine combusts properly because these vacuum hoses supply air to it. But if these vacuum hoses get loosened or are broken, then the required air will not be provided to the engine. Therefore, the difficulty in combusting will start. And this will lead the car to shake when it is idle.
- The timing Belt Is Worn Out
The timing belt of the car takes care of the synchronization of the camshaft and crankshaft and regulates the opening and closing of the engine valves within the correct time. But if the belt itself is worn out, then the idle air control valves will not open and close at the correct time and this will lead the car to shake when idle.
- The Intake Airflow Sensor Is Damaged
There is an intake air temperature sensor in the car that measures the temperature of the air that is going inside the engine. And if your car’s intake airflow sensor is damaged, it can shake when idle, because the engine will not be able to get the proper information regarding the temperature of the air.
- The Throttle Body Is Defective
The amount of air that goes inside the engine is controlled by the throttle body of the car. If it is defective, then the balance of the amount of air that goes inside the engine will hamper, and it will lead the car to shake when idle.
- The Coil Packs Are Broken
Coil packs are the parts of the engine that provide the spark needed for the ignition of the fuel into the engine. But if the coil packs are broken, then the spark’s provision will hamper and lead the car to shake when idle.
- The Fuel Intake System Is Damaged
The fuel intake system controls the fuel delivery by the packs. And if this system gets damaged, then obviously the fuel delivery to the engine will be hampered. This incident can lead your car in shaking while idle.
- The Car Alternator Is bad
The car alternator controls the charging of the battery of the car as well as provides power to the electrical system of the vehicle. If the car alternator cannot work correctly, the battery will not be charged properly, and this can lead the vehicle to shake when idle.
How To Fix A Shaking Car At Idle
Now is the time for the solutions to this problem. Read this part and check the solutions I stated below.
- Change Motor Mounts
If the car is shaking only when it is idle but smooths out when you start driving, then it is probably the problem with the motor mounts. To be sure, push the engine in every direction and check if it is loose. If you find it loose, then it is surely the problem with one or two motor mounts.
The only way to fix this is to change the motor mounts. The price of the motor mounts are in between $50 to $150, and the labor charge can cost around $150 to $550.
- Change Or Clean Spark Plugs
If the spark plugs are faulty, check what is the actual problem with them. If it is only dirty, then a proper cleaning with a wire brush and spray-on cleaner will fix this issue.
But if the spark plugs are broken, then you will have to change them. A single spark plug costs around $5 to $25, but the labor charges can be very high.
- Change Vacuum Hoses/ Worn Belts
If the problem is created by broken vacuum hoses or worn belts, then the only way to fix this issue is to change the hoses or belts. The strap can cost around $25 to $75, and the labor can cost around $75 to $225. At the same time, the vacuum hose can cost around $150 to $1,000 including labor charges.
- Fix The Idle Speed Control
If cleaning the IAC and the throttle body does not give you the desired result, you need to change the IAC. the parts will cost you around $50 to $300, and the total cost including the labor charges can cost you around $100 to $500.
- Repair The Fuel Intake System
Repairing the fuel intake system has multiple levels. Sometimes, only fuel induction cleaning can restore your car to its previous state, but sometimes, it needs full service like the servicing for the intake valves, intake manifold, and throttle plates as well. The full servicing can cost you around $150+.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is my car shaking when idle but not when driving?
If your car is shaking when idle but not when driving, then there can be several reasons responsible for it. The motor mounts could be damaged, the spark plugs could be broken, or there could be broken coil packs, vacuum hoses, damaged fuel injectors, bad car alternators, damaged fuel intake system, damaged throttle body, damaged intake airflow sensor, worn out timing belt, and blocked fuel injectors.
2. What would cause my car to vibrate when idling?
Broken coil packs, vacuum hoses, damaged fuel injectors, bad car alternators, damaged fuel intake system, damaged throttle body, damaged intake airflow sensor, worn out timing belt, blocked fuel injectors, faulty motor mounts, and damaged spark plugs can cause your car to vibrate when idling.
3. Is it safe to drive when your car is shaking?
If your car is shaking, then you should repair it before continue driving.
4. Is it normal for the engine to shake a little?
Shaking the car engine at an optimum level is normal, but if it shakes excessively, you should service the car.
5. Can low oil cause cars to shake?
Yes. if you see your car shaking when idling, you should change the oil.
Conclusion
So this is all about what should you do if your car is shaking when it is idle but smooths out when driving. I hope you have got a complete idea of this topic. All the best!
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