What Causes a Car Engine to Shake and Lose Power?
2 Answers
Car engine shaking and loss of power can be attributed to the following reasons: 1. Damaged spark plugs, where wear on the spark plug electrode gap leads to insufficient sparking, causing incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture and resulting in shaking. Cracks in the ceramic part of the spark plug can prevent sparking, leading to acceleration shaking; 2. Poor quality gasoline results in inadequate atomization by the fuel injectors, causing incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders and leading to engine shaking and loss of power; 3. A dirty throttle body or excessive carbon buildup on the fuel injectors can cause the throttle to not close properly or the idle air control motor to stick, resulting in high engine idle. Carbon deposits formed during operation can cause the vehicle to shake.
Engine shaking and lack of power remind me of many car issues, and there are actually quite a few common causes. First, it could be a problem with the ignition system, such as old spark plugs or faulty ignition coils, leading to irregular operation in certain cylinders and uneven power output, causing the engine to shake and lose power. Second, there might be an issue with the fuel delivery system, like clogged fuel injectors or insufficient fuel pump pressure, resulting in incorrect air-fuel mixture ratios and incomplete combustion. Third, the intake system could be at fault, such as a dirty air filter restricting airflow or a stuck throttle valve. I've dealt with these issues many times, and during repairs, I've found that carbon buildup is also a critical factor—it reduces engine efficiency and makes the car feel unstable. Additionally, faulty sensors like the oxygen sensor or ECU malfunctions can misread signals, affecting overall performance. In short, if you notice your engine shaking, don't delay—get it thoroughly checked at a 4S shop immediately. Regular maintenance can effectively prevent such problems.
