Have you ever been driving your car and suddenly felt like it was about to shake apart? Are you worried that something may be wrong with your engine when the shaking starts up every time you accelerate? If so, then this article is for you!
We’ll explore some of the common causes behind engine shaking when accelerating – from worn out spark plugs to faulty fuel injectors – and offer helpful tips on how to diagnose and solve the problem.
So stay tuned, as we delve deep into all things related to a shuddering motor!
Engine Shaking When Accelerating – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
When the car engine starts shaking and vibrating during acceleration, it can be a sign of an underlying issue. This shaking can cause further damage to the engine if not taken care of immediately.
With that being said, there are several reasons why an engine may shake when accelerating.
Below, we will discuss the most common causes for engine shaking when accelerating and how to diagnose and fix them.
1. Zapalovací cívky
Ignition coils are essential components in the vehicle’s engine and work to transform battery voltage into thousands of volts for spark plug ignition. When an ignition coil fails, it won’t generate enough sparks to ignite all cylinders, resulting in engine shaking.
This type of shaking will occur during acceleration, or when the driver attempts to take their foot off the gas pedal and coast down a hill. Ignition coils may fail due to age and wear-and-tear, but some external factors such as extreme cold or heat might also contribute to their failure.
In order to diagnose whether an ignition coil is causing engine vibration or not, mechanics should first check for any misfires in each cylinder using a diagnostic scan tool.
The first sign of an ignition coil going bad is usually engine misfires which feel like jerks or stutters in the car’s power as you accelerate. As time goes on, these misfires can lead to other symptoms such as a rough idle, poor acceleration performance, increased fuel consumption and even an illuminated check engine light.
If any of these symptoms occur then it’s important to check your vehicle’s ignition coils immediately as they may need to be replaced or repaired.
2. Ucpaný palivový filtr
Engine shaking when accelerating is a common issue that can be caused by many different factors. One of the most common causes is a clogged fuel filter, which blocks the flow of fuel to the engine.
A clogged fuel filter puts extra strain on your engine, making it hard for it to receive enough gasoline in order to properly function.
This can lead to an unstable idle, jerking during acceleration, and reduced performance overall.
It’s important for drivers to regularly check their vehicle’s fuel filter and replace it according to their car’s recommended maintenance schedule.
If you suspect that your vehicle has a clogged fuel filter, take it in for service as soon as possible so the problem can be diagnosed and fixed before more serious damage occurs.
3. Znečištěný vzduchový filtr
Engine Shaking is a common car problem that can be caused by a dirty air filter.
The air filter cleans the air entering the engine and helps to increase fuel efficiency and performance.
If the air filter becomes clogged with dirt, debris, or other contaminants, it can cause an engine misfire which will result in shaking and poor acceleration.
When a vehicle’s air filter needs to be replaced, there are several signs that you should look out for. These include reduced power when accelerating, decreased fuel economy, black smoke from your exhaust pipe, and strange noises coming from under the hood of your car.
It is important to address these issues as soon as possible so you can prevent further damage to your engine.
Replacing a dirty air filter with a new one will ensure that your engine continues running smoothly, delivering optimum power output while protecting other sensitive components from damage due to unclean surfaces or particles entering the system. It’s important for drivers do regular checks on their filters themselves or take their vehicles into an au
4. Worn Out Engine Mounts
The Issue can be due to a number of factors, but one of the most common is worn out engine mounts. Engine mounts are components that keep the engine in place and dampen vibration to ensure the rest of the vehicle isn’t affected by it.
When these components start to wear down, they will cause more movement from the engine which will then cause vibrations that can be felt throughout the car and even create a shaking feeling when accelerating.
To determine if worn out engine mounts are causing your vehicle’s shaking, there are several signs you should look for.
These include louder than normal noises coming from underneath your hood, increased vibration in other parts of your car such as the steering column or dashboard, as well as a noticeable shifting or rocking motion when applying pressure on the accelerator pedal.
If you do notice any damage or looseness, it may be time for a replacement as failing engine mounts will only worsen over time and lead to further issues such as leaking fluid from hoses and even misfiring spark plugs.
Jejich výměna quickly is important in order to prevent potentially costly repairs down the line – so get those faulty mounts fixed before they become an even bigger problem!
5. Injector Issues
Driving a car with an engine that shakes when accelerating can be quite unnerving.
It could be due to an injector issue, which generally happens when the fuel injectors malfunction and don’t provide the right amount of fuel to the engine.
As a result, the engine will shake or vibrate at irregular intervals during acceleration.
In order to diagnose and repair this issue, it’s important to understand what causes injector problems in the first place.
Common causes include clogged or dirty fuel filter, faulty wiring harness or electrical connections, damaged or worn out parts like spark plugs and O-rings, as well as low levels of oil or coolant in the vehicle. In addition, some issues may stem from using poor quality fuel additives or incorrect octane rating for your car’s needs.
6. Clean The EGR Valve
Vehicle Engine shaking can be caused by several underlying issues, one of which is the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve.
The EGR valve helps reduce emissions from the engine by allowing some exhaust gases to recirculate back into the intake manifold for another round of combustion.
EGR valve works by redirecting exhaust gas back into the engine which helps reduce emissions and keeps your vehicle’s temperature regulated.
It’s important to check that the valve is working properly because if it isn’t, it can cause issues with how your engine runs and can even lead to potential damage.
If its not functioning properly, it can cause excessive vibration and shaking in the engine when accelerating or idling.
The good news is that cleaning the EGR valve only takes a few simple steps and doesn’t require any special tools or knowledge of mechanics.
You’ll need to remove the air filter housing in order to access the valve, then use compressed air or an appropriate solvent cleaner to remove any built-up dirt and debris from inside it.
Proč investovat do čističky vzduchu?
If your engine is shaking when you accelerate, it’s time to take action. Don’t wait for the problem to worsen – the longer you put off a repair, the more costly and complicated it can become.
Invest in an inspection from a qualified mechanic as soon as possible to identify any underlying issues and determine what needs to be done to get your vehicle running smoothly again.
Whatever repairs are necessary, don’t forget that taking care of them promptly will save you money and inconvenience down the road (or highway).
Tim Hayden je ostřílený automechanik a odborník s bohatými zkušenostmi v automobilovém průmyslu.
S hlubokou vášní pro auta a talentem pro řešení složitých mechanických problémů se Tim věnuje poskytování cenných postřehů a praktických tipů majitelům automobilů.
Důvěřujte jeho odborným znalostem, aby vaše vozidlo fungovalo hladce.
It’s easy to get stressed out when your car shakes when accelerating. Unfortunately, this problem is bound to happen, especial if you have an older car – and many drivers are going to be totally unaware of what their car is trying to tell them while it shakes after they accelerate.
I myself have stumbled across this situation long before i was a mechanic, and didn’t know what to do. So, I’ve gathered everything you need to know to quickly diagnose and fix the common cause of your vehicle shaking when you press down on the gas pedal.
In short, almost a dozen different problems can cause your car to shake when you accelerate. These issues range from bent axles to loose lugs, to tie rod or transmission problems. Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
- Common Causes of a Car Shaking When It Accelerates
- 1. Bad Inner/Outer Tie Rods
- 2. Unbalanced/Uneven Tires
- 3. Poškozený vnitřní kloub CV
- Náhradní díly:
- 4. Worn Universal Joint
- 5. Bad Motor/Transmission Mounts
- 6. Torn or Disconnected Vacuum Hose
- 7. Poorly Attached Wheel
- 8. Ohnutý hnací hřídel
- 9. Brake Caliper Is Sticking
- Uneven Wear On Brake Rotor/Pads
- 10. Bad CV Axle
- Je bezpečné řídit, když se vaše auto třese?
Common Causes of a Car Shaking When It Accelerates
There could be many causes of car shaking when accelerating. Some of them could be minor causes, like a bad attached wheel, unbalanced tires and a disconnected vacuum hose. But others, like a bent driveshaft, bad inner/outer tie rods, bad motor mounts, etc, could require a hefty repair. I have compiled a list of all the possible causes of car shaking when accelerating from most likely, to least likely (but make sure to check each one as every car could have a different case), as well as provide information on how to fix it, and how it fails:
1. Bad Inner/Outer Tie Rods
Your tie rods connect both of your front wheels to your suspension system, allowing you to steer your vehicle in the first place but also helping to dampen all the motion while you are driving on everything from pavement to gravel roads (and anything off the beaten path, too). If your inner or outer tie rods begin to wear out, you’re going to start to notice a lot of extra vibration – especially if your driving at low speeds, or when trying to accelerate from a dead stop. You would usually feel those vibrations in the steering wheel, and it might even feel unresponsive You’ll probably also notice a clunking or knocking sound when you make a turn, which is especially pronounced at slow speeds. This means that the tie rods are starting to give and will need to be replaced straightaway. Inner/outer tie rods can be tricky to replace yourself, but it is definitely doable, as shown in this video:
When your tires are unbalanced or uneven (uneven meaning incorrectly mounted on the wheel) the weight is going to be off just a little bit. You’ll notice minor shaking and vibration at slower speeds that get worse and worse as you accelerate, sometimes to the point where your car is shaking violently. Swing by the tire shop if you notice this and have them balanced or remount your tires properly. That should clear everything up for you. Related: Should I Balance My Tires Before An Alignment?
3. Poškozený vnitřní kloub CV
Another core component of your axle and your steering system are the CV joints that sit at the ends of both axles. If the inner CV joint starts to wear out, you’ll notice a little bit of vibration while you are driving around town, which can turn into very strong vibrations as you accelerate – especially if you accelerate quickly
Most of the time, this damage is caused by a tear in the CV boot that wraps around the CV joint itself. Dirt, gunk, grime, and anything else can work its way into that joint and degrade it over time. You’ll end up with pure metal to metal contact that leads to friction and failure, and that’s when the vibration really starts to get bad.
Náhradní díly:
If you have an aftermarket CV Axle, it likely won’t be built to the same standard as the OEM ones-especially if you want to cheap out. Which may be the cause of car shaking when accelerating. Why, you might ask? Because aftermarket CV axles can have bad CV joints which don’t effectively dampen the harshness and the vibrations from driving, and because of that, the vibration will instead be transferred to other car parts, making your car shake when accelerating. This is usually felt inside the cabin.
Since you can’t replace the CV joint itself, you would have to replace the whole CV Axle. It can be rather difficult, so if you are unsure, it’s better to visit a mechanic. But you can still try: Motor and transmission mounts keep these pieces of sophisticated machinery in place, but are also designed to dampen the kind of vibration you would have otherwise inevitably felt from all of the tiny explosions happening inside these components.
If your motor mount or transmission mount have busted (or are just degrading) you’ll probably start to feel a little bit of extra vibration than you are used to. This increases at higher speeds as your components work harder and harder, but you should feel a bit of vibration at a standstill with the engine on, too. Related: Can You Drive With Bad Motor Mounts?
6. Torn or Disconnected Vacuum Hose
A relatively common issue that can cause car shakes when accelerating that get pretty violent really quickly. Even just a tiny tear in your vacuum hose can cause big problems.
When your vacuum hose becomes compromised or loose, the air pressure in your engine is going to go all out of whack. That’s going to cause a ripple effect across each of the numerous sensors in your vehicle, creating backfire problems, loss of power problems, and an engine that runs anything but smoothly. Inspect your hoses, make sure they are where they are supposed to be, and double confirm that they are in good condition. Anything that looks like it should be replaced definitely needs to be, though this is (usually) a pretty inexpensive fix.
7. Poorly Attached Wheel
Believe it or not, loose lug nuts are a much more dangerous problem than most people realize. Lug nuts that have not been properly torqued down on the wheel hub inevitably work themselves loose over time, and that allows your wheels to wiggle and wobble as you drive down the road. Given enough time, though, those lug nuts will work themselves clear off of the lug itself – and that’s when your wheel is most likely to come flying off of your vehicle Confirming loose lug nuts are the reason that your car is shaking while accelerating is pretty simple and straightforward. Simply try to twist them with your fingers alone and see how tight or loose they are. It’s not a bad idea to slap a torque wrench on each lug nut and make sure that it is torqued correctly, either. This will help guarantee that your lug nuts stay in place (and that your wheel does, too).
8. Ohnutý hnací hřídel
Rear wheel drive vehicles (and all-wheel-drive vehicles) are going to have a driveshaft that pushes power from the engine all the way back to the rear axle. Driveshaft damage (especially a bent driveshaft) is usually a result of an accident and not wear and tear. You’ll start to notice shaking at lower speeds that gets worse and worse as you accelerate. Unfortunately, this is a component you can’t bend back into shape. If your driveshaft is causing shaking while you accelerate you’ll need to swap it out for a new one.
9. Brake Caliper Is Sticking
Breaking systems on all vehicles need to be kept up and maintained just like everything else. Mainly, the piston inside the brake caliper is sticking because the slide pins have lost lubrication, preventing proper engagement and disengagement of the brake pads. Sometimes all you have to do to fix it is to clean and lubricate your caliper to get it back to brand-new condition.
If you have a caliper that is sticking even just a little bit you’ll usually start to notice some shaking and some vibration between 40 miles an hour and 50 miles an hour or so. Speed up even faster and the shaking generally gets worse, and eventually you’ll start to smell something burning – your brakes!
Uneven Wear On Brake Rotor/Pads
When your caliper is sticking, it will quickly wear out the brake rotor/pads, which could make them uneven. So if you didn’t feel vibrations when accelerating, you would definitely feel vibration when pressing on the brake pedal.
In more extreme situations, though, your brake system may have to be replaced (not just the caliper, but the brake lines themselves). This is a great time to swap out your pads, too.
10. Bad CV Axle
Your axles connect your wheels together, and are perfectly straight, which gives you stability and control when you drive your vehicle down the road. At the same time, it really doesn’t take a whole lot to bend your axle, even just a little bit – which can be enough to throw the balance of your vehicle all out of whack. Like smacking into a curb, bumping over a big rock, or even just being involved in a minor fender bender, which can cause your vehicle to shake, rattle, and roll as you accelerate. Some CV Axle’s have a thing called “Dynamic Damper” which is a weight that sits in the middle of the axle, and when it becomes misaligned, it can cause vibrations and shaking when accelerating, even if the the whole CV axle and joints are completely fine.
The only way to fix any of those issues is to swap out the axle completely, something you’ll want to do ASAP.
Je bezpečné řídit, když se vaše auto třese?
It depends what issue is causing your car to shake, but generally, it is not safe to drive a car when it is shaking as it compromises the stability of your vehicle, which puts you at risk of a crash. It is better not to test your luck and figure out what’s causing your car to shake in the first place before proceeding to drive. But a short trip should be fine.
