What Causes Engine Shaking and Exhaust Puffing?
4 Answers
The reasons for engine shaking and exhaust puffing include: 1. Engine misfire: The exhaust gas flow shows obvious intermittency, and the exhaust pipe shakes severely, which is largely related to ignition coil failure; 2. Overly rich fuel mixture: Mostly caused by carbon deposits, clogged filters, etc.; 3. Cold start: During a cold start, the engine lubrication effect is relatively poor, and the engine oil has poor fluidity and is more viscous, resulting in abnormal noises from mechanical wear. The car engine is the device that provides power to the car, serving as the heart of the vehicle, determining its power, fuel economy, stability, and environmental friendliness. Depending on the power source, car engines can be divided into diesel engines, gasoline engines, electric vehicle motors, and hybrid engines.
As a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, when the car's engine shakes accompanied by a sputtering exhaust sound, the common cause is a misfire—meaning one or more cylinders have stopped working, leading to unbalanced engine vibration. Possible reasons include burnt-out spark plugs or excessive gaps causing ignition failure, fuel pump supply issues or clogged injectors resulting in too lean or rich fuel mixture, or vacuum leaks in the air system due to aging hoses allowing excess air into the cylinders. Carbon buildup on valves or pistons can also hinder proper combustion, producing sputtering or popping sounds. An OBD fault code scan can quickly pinpoint the issue. If left untreated, this problem significantly increases fuel consumption and damages engine components. Last time my car had this issue, fixing it only cost a few hundred bucks.
As an avid car enthusiast, I've studied numerous cases of engine shaking with popping sounds, which primarily stem from abnormal cylinder combustion and misfires. Common culprits include ignition system failures like dirty spark plugs or faulty ignition coils, fuel issues such as clogged injectors or dirty fuel filters causing uneven fuel supply, malfunctioning sensors like oxygen sensors leading the ECU to incorrectly adjust the air-fuel ratio, and exhaust system blockages with excessive carbon buildup causing detonation. Having personally disassembled cars and replaced parts, I recommend first using an OBD scanner to diagnose the issue. Delaying repairs can damage the catalytic converter and increase repair costs, so prioritize safe driving.
I started with DIY car repairs. Engine shaking and exhaust popping are often caused by misfiring due to cylinder failure. Check if the spark plug electrodes are worn or carbon-fouled, affecting ignition, and whether the fuel pressure is normal or the injectors are clogged. A vacuum leak in the intake manifold or loose tubing can cause excessive air and abnormal mixing. Carbon buildup in the combustion chamber or worn piston rings can worsen the issue. Using an OBD tool to read fault codes saves time. Once, I fixed it just by cleaning the throttle body—don’t forget regular maintenance to prevent problems.
