What Causes Severe Engine Vibration in Vehicles?
2 Answers
Vehicle engine vibration can be caused by the following reasons: 1. Mechanical engine failure, such as uneven cylinder pressure among cylinders; 2. Intake system malfunction, such as air intake pipe leaks, excessive carbon buildup on intake valves and pipes, or excessive dirt on throttle bodies and intake pipe walls; 3. Engine management system issues, such as incorrect coolant temperature or intake air temperature signals, or wiring faults; 4. Ignition system problems, such as excessive carbon buildup on spark plugs or incorrect gap settings, leakage in high-voltage wires or distributor caps, or damaged ignition coils; 5. Fuel supply system failure, such as injector sealing issues or clogging due to excessive internal carbon deposits in the nozzles.
Over my many years of driving, I've encountered engine shaking several times. The most common causes are aging spark plugs or severe carbon buildup, which can make a cylinder misfire, like walking with a limp. There was also a time when the ignition coil failed, causing the engine to run on fewer cylinders—the shaking was so bad it felt like driving a tractor. Additionally, carbon deposits in the throttle body can disrupt air intake, making the engine 'gasp' and shake. If the shaking starts right after refueling, it's likely due to poor fuel quality or clogged fuel injectors. Worn engine mounts are another hidden culprit; once the rubber cracks, it can no longer dampen engine vibrations. I remember once on the highway when sudden shaking scared me into pulling over—turned out to be a leaking spark plug wire. In short, don't ignore it; early diagnosis means peace of mind, as it directly affects driving safety.
