Slight engine shake/vibration at idle (Video)

[My Nameis]

I have a 98 Honda Civic Ex with 164k miles that I’ve recently noticed has an engine shake that is noticeable at idle and can be felt in the driver’s seat.

It almost feels like a very slight misfire occasionally.

Things I’ve tried:
New spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor
Cleaned throttle body and IACV
Idle relearn procedure
Ran bottle of Lucas fuel injector cleaner
Had engine mounts checked

Here’s a quick video, you can see the shaking by looking at the distributor in the video. In person the engine has the same shaking that the camera doesn’t pick up:

[video]http://vimeo.com/102133530http://[/video]

I’m kind of stumped. Valves were last adjusted about 60k miles ago, not sure if they would contribute to this issue. Maybe this is normal? I just feel the shaking wasn’t there before.

Any ideas would be appreciated

Topic

[Its me]

Perhaps the shaking is a worn/broken engine mount…

You can visually inspect the ones you see or you can test them by having someone you trust get into the vehicle, put it in gear, set parking brake, step on brake pedal and rev the engine while you look for noticeable engine movement…

-Karl

[My Nameis]

[quote=”ToyotaKarl” post=111609]Perhaps the shaking is a worn engine mount…

To test, you can have someone get into the vehicle, put it in gear, set parking brake, step on brake pedal and rev the engine while you look for noticeable engine movement…

-Karl[/quote]

I had a mechanic do just that, and while I noticed the engine moved I don’t think it was anything beyond the norm and he concluded the mounts seemed fine

[Its me]

[quote=”myfavecoupe_” post=111610][quote=”ToyotaKarl” post=111609]Perhaps the shaking is a worn engine mount…

To test, you can have someone get into the vehicle, put it in gear, set parking brake, step on brake pedal and rev the engine while you look for noticeable engine movement…

-Karl[/quote]

I had a mechanic do just that, and while I noticed the engine moved I don’t think it was anything beyond the norm and he concluded the mounts seemed fine[/quote]

Maybe damage to the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley….

Just throwin it out…. 😛

-Karl

[My Nameis]

Hmm, how would I determine that?

Also, what’s an acceptable amount of engine movement from good motor mounts?

[EricTheCarGuy]

I cover this issue extensively here. There’s also a section that focuses specifically on Honda idle problems. Perhaps give it a read for something you might find helpful.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems

Good luck and keep us posted.

[My Nameis]

[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=111689]I cover this issue extensively here. There’s also a section that focuses specifically on Honda idle problems. Perhaps give it a read for something you might find helpful.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-idle-problems

Good luck and keep us posted.[/quote]
Hi eric, I’ve checked that out and tried most mentioned with the exception of compression testing and valve adjusting. From the video I posted what do you think? Is it normal? I ran smoke through the intake and didn’t see any escaping anywhere as I thought maybe a slight vacuum leak.

The rpm needle does not fluctuate on the tach it’s steady but you can feel the vibration.

Any suggestions?

[My Nameis]

Still dealing with this. Any ideas?

[EricTheCarGuy]

As I covered in the article I linked for you, eliminate all engine performance issues first. There’s an extensive amount of information in that article that covers that. If you’ve covered everything in the article engine performance wise, then it’s time to look at the engine mounts.

Please keep us updated on your progress.

[My Nameis]

Eric the only thing I haven’t checked is valve clearance, last time I had that done was at 110k it now has 174k

I’m not sure how often that needs to be done or if it’s even cause what I’m experiencing?

[My Nameis]

I’m starting the think the “shake” is normal but as it now has 175k miles I’m feeling it more?

I tried the pcv valve test while engine idling and pinching off the hose, as I did that the shaking actually got worse and was smoother in comparison to when I un-pinched the hose. Does that indicate anything?

[Author]

Replies