What Causes Severe Engine Vibration?
2 Answers
Here are detailed explanations for the causes of severe engine vibration in cars: 1. Tightened Belt: In winter, belts become tighter than usual. When the belt tension is insufficient, the engine may produce sharp noises. 2. Dirty Throttle Body: Severe engine vibration, sometimes accompanied by failure to start at the first attempt, is often caused by a dirty throttle body or excessive carbon deposits in the fuel injector and intake passages. In cold conditions, carbon deposits can absorb some of the fuel, preventing it from fully entering the combustion chamber, leading to unstable idling and difficulty starting. 3. Check for Missing Balance Weights: Inspect whether the balance weights on the wheel rims are missing or if there is any noticeable deformation in the wheel hubs.
I've been driving for decades and have seen too many cases of engine shaking, usually caused by ignition system issues, such as aging or damaged spark plugs that fail to ignite, making the cylinders work unevenly. Once during a long-distance drive, the shaking was so severe that the steering wheel vibrated in my hands. I immediately checked the spark plugs, replaced them with new ones, and the problem was solved. Other possible causes include uneven fuel supply from the fuel pump or clogged fuel injectors, leading to an imbalance in the air-fuel mixture. Sometimes, a dirty air filter can also cause insufficient air intake, making the engine 'struggle to breathe' and shake. The most serious issue is damaged engine mounts, which fail to stabilize the engine, amplifying the vibrations. My advice is not to delay—if you hear abnormal sounds at idle, get it fixed as soon as possible. Otherwise, fuel consumption will skyrocket, and internal engine parts may be damaged. Safety first! Regularly changing the oil and inspecting ignition components can prevent many problems.
