What Causes Engine Shaking and Stalling?
2 Answers
Possible causes of engine shaking and stalling include: 1. Spark plugs need replacement. As a crucial component of the ignition system, spark plugs typically last about 100,000 kilometers. Excessive engine vibration may indicate carbon buildup affecting spark plug discharge, resulting in ignition failure; 2. Overly low engine cooling system temperature. The optimal operating temperature range is 60°C to 70°C. Below this threshold, incomplete fuel combustion may occur, forming carbon deposits that could potentially clog exhaust passages and cause unstable operation or frequent stalling; 3. Poor fuel atomization preventing proper air-fuel mixture. This leads to incomplete combustion, potentially causing carbon buildup and abnormal combustion chamber conditions that may even trigger engine knocking and increased vibration; 4. Use of substandard fuel may clog the fuel pump or cause incomplete combustion in cylinders; 5. Various factors reducing valve sealing performance. Compromised valve sealing destabilizes combustion chamber pressure, causing abnormal combustion, increased vibration, and frequent stalling.
My car also experienced shaking and stalling before, and that time the problem was with the ignition system. The aging ignition coil caused a misfire, meaning one cylinder failed to ignite, making the engine run unevenly and start shaking, then stall. Similar situations could also be due to worn-out spark plugs or damaged insulation in high-voltage wires causing electrical leakage. Insufficient fuel pump pressure can also lead to this—without enough fuel supply, the engine shakes and stalls. Additionally, excessive carbon buildup in the throttle body affects air intake, causing the ECU to struggle with adjusting the RPM, leading to erratic engine speed. Wiring issues, like poor grounding, are also common—loose connections during vibration can interrupt the current. I suggest starting with simple checks, like replacing the spark plugs. If that doesn’t work, visit a professional shop to read the fault codes for diagnosis. Shaking and stalling are dangerous, especially at high speeds, so address it promptly to avoid breaking down on the road. Regular maintenance, such as cleaning the throttle body every 20,000 kilometers, can help prevent such issues.
