What Causes Engine Vibration in the Excelle?
4 Answers
The causes of engine vibration in the Excelle: 1. Improper adjustment of the idle switch, causing it to remain open during idle; 2. Poor atomization or clogging of the fuel injector; 3. Malfunction of the air flow meter; 4. Fault in the idle control valve or idle control circuit; 5. Incorrect signal from the coolant temperature sensor; 6. Failure of the oxygen sensor or feedback control circuit. The Excelle is a 4-door, 5-seater compact sedan with body dimensions of 4468mm in length, 1765mm in width, and 1469mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2611mm. The vehicle is equipped with a 1.3L naturally aspirated engine paired with a CVT transmission, delivering a maximum power of 79 kW at 6200 rpm and a maximum torque of 133 Nm at 4000 rpm. It features front-wheel drive, with a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a compound torsion beam non-independent rear suspension.
I've been driving my wife's Excelle lately and noticed severe steering wheel shaking at red lights. After a thorough check, I found this model's common issue is aging spark plugs, especially the factory nickel alloy ones which rarely last beyond 30,000 km. Upon removal, the electrode gaps were indeed burnt and deformed - switching to iridium plugs immediately smoothed things out. Another culprit could be cracked engine mount bushings; when the rubber deteriorates, metal parts collide directly, with idle ticking sounds being the telltale sign. If shaking worsens at 1/4 tank level, the fuel pump strainer might be clogged - remember to replace it during fuel tank cleaning. Also, leaking ignition coils can cause misfires (most noticeable during cold starts), with occasional engine light flickering as warning. These parts are inexpensive to replace, costing just a few hundred at local repair shops.
Having repaired Buicks for ten years, the most common cause of vibration in Excelle models is combustion system issues. The most frequent culprit is aging ignition coils, especially in the older 1.6L versions—high-voltage leakage during humid rainy seasons can cause a cylinder to misfire. Last week, a car idled so roughly it felt like a massage chair; the diagnostic tool showed the engine misfire count was off the charts, and replacing the coils fixed it. Carbon buildup is also widespread—intake valve deposits can reach 5mm thick in cars used mainly for short trips, and walnut blasting eliminates the shaking. Don’t overlook fuel quality either: one customer cheaped out with discount 92-octane from a no-name station, triggering constant knock sensor alerts, and the ECU retarding ignition timing caused jerking. Regular fuel additives are recommended, and spark plugs must be replaced every 50,000 km.
My brother's 2008 Buick Excelle was shaking badly last year, and the investigation revealed that the engine mount had completely collapsed. The rubber block softened after being soaked in engine oil, causing the engine to sit directly on the chassis. It even stalled when shifting to D gear. Replacing it with an aftermarket hydraulic engine mount costs 350, while the OEM part is 800 but more durable. Additionally, it was found that the fuel injector sealing ring had aged, causing gasoline leakage during cold starts and resulting in an overly rich air-fuel mixture. OBD detection showed long-term fuel trim at +28%. When cleaning the throttle body, it was discovered that the idle valve was stuck, which was resolved by removing it and spraying it with carburetor cleaner. A reminder to everyone: don't skimp on replacing the air filter—low-quality filters can cause insufficient airflow and lead to surging.
