What Causes Engine Shaking?
2 Answers
Engine shaking can be caused by: 1. Aging or loosening of engine mounts; 2. One or more cylinders not functioning properly; 3. Carbon buildup in the engine, including on the throttle valve, cylinders, and spark plugs; 4. Fuel system malfunctions; 5. Intake system issues; 6. Normal reaction during cold starts. Solutions include: 1. Cleaning the throttle valve; 2. Replacing a set of spark plugs; 3. Seeking professional repair services. An engine is a machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, jet engines, electric motors, etc.
I remember last year when I was waiting at a red light in my old Passat, the steering wheel was shaking like a phone vibration. Later, the mechanic told me that this was most likely due to worn engine mounts—when the rubber in the engine suspension cracks, it can’t absorb the vibrations. Worn spark plugs causing unstable ignition are also common, especially during cold starts when the shaking gets worse. Replacing the spark plugs made a big difference. Carbon buildup in the throttle body is particularly annoying—it feels like the engine is gasping for air, jerking unevenly. Last time, cleaning the throttle body cost me over 200 yuan, but the idle stabilized immediately afterward. If the shaking worsens when accelerating, it’s probably time to clean the fuel injectors. The scariest is misfire-induced shaking—it feels like a horse limping on one leg, jerking violently. In that case, never push through; pull over immediately and call for roadside assistance.
