What Causes the Classic Focus to Shake During Acceleration?
2 Answers
Classic Focus shaking during acceleration can be attributed to the following reasons: 1. Damaged engine mounts: When the engine mounts are damaged, their noise and vibration reduction functions are compromised, especially noticeable during acceleration and deceleration with pronounced shaking and noise. 2. Unbalanced wheels: This can also lead to shaking during acceleration and may cause the steering wheel to vibrate. 3. Excessive throttle carbon buildup: Carbon deposits in the throttle can lead to various minor car issues, with acceleration shaking being one of them. 4. Faulty spark plugs: In the engine cylinders, the air-fuel mixture requires an electric spark to ignite. If the spark is weak or absent, it can lead to a misfire, disrupting the engine's balance and causing the vehicle to shake and produce noise. 5. Clutch slippage: Whether it's a manual transmission or a dual-clutch transmission, power is transmitted by clamping the clutch plates. When the clutch slips, it can cause the engine to shake as if in a semi-engaged state, or in severe cases, result in jerking or even stalling.
As a veteran driver who has driven a classic Focus for over a decade, I'm all too familiar with acceleration shudder issues. When my car used to shake badly during acceleration, it was mainly caused by uneven ignition due to worn spark plugs—replacing them improved things significantly. Fuel system problems like clogged injectors or unstable fuel pump pressure causing intermittent fuel supply are another culprit. Additionally, aging engine mounts are a common factor, as they allow vibrations to transfer directly to the chassis, making the car wobble during acceleration. Then there's improper tire balancing, which exacerbates shaking at high speeds and affects overall smoothness. Bottom line: don't ignore it. Early inspection of these points saves money and avoids major repair headaches.