Shake in car coming from Engine

[altenae]

My Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer from 2003 drives very nice. However when engine is idle I feel the car shake once and a while. When I look at the engine the engine moves everytime you feel the shake.

Anyone any idea what this can be ??

Edward van Altena
The Netherlands

 

[Minivek]

From what I understand about v6 engines, some vibration is inherent to the design. Most of the vibration gets cancelled out by the angle between cylinders, and the vibration damper on the crankshaft, but some vibration remains. You might wanna check motor mounts and see if the rubber around the crankshaft balancer is craked or separated, other than that I believe a missing cylinder might provoke some vibration as well, though in your case its doubtfull since the engine is pretty recent.

 

[altenae]

No errors about the engine in the computer. Still when rpm below 1200 or so the engine shakes from time to time. You can also feel this when you are inside. I have already replaced all 6 sparks.

Can someone else tell me what I can try or check that causes this problem ??

Edward

 

[Donner]

What time is there? It's 7:20am here...

Good morning! I don't know what types of fuels are available there, but you might try an additive or detergent. Have you had the fuel filter changed? I would start with the basics - like the gentleman said, an inspection of the housing compartment. Have you replaced all of the fluids? Are they the recommended fluids?

 

[altenae]

Good morning! I don't know what types of fuels are available there, but you might try an additive or detergent. Have you had the fuel filter changed? I would start with the basics - like the gentleman said, an inspection of the housing compartment. Have you replaced all of the fluids? Are they the recommended fluids?

Hello,

No the fuel filter has not been changed. The Engine Oil has been changed, but the shake was already there before the enigne oil change.

By the way I see you also drive a 2003 explorer 4 liter. Here in the Netherlands you don't these explorers very often. S maybe you can tell me if it is normal that you can feel the road very good. It feels like the tires are to hard. If you know what I mean.

 

[Donner]

Our roads, yikes!

Our roads in some places are just terrible, and you feel everything! But when the roads are smooth, it's like driving on silk! Reno, NV has some of the best roads - compared to California. If the roads are good, you shouldn't feel anything. How many miles on your vehicle?

You might want to have all the fluids checked to be sure the correct ones have been used... and there are some areas to be checked (a tech will tell, I can't explain)... but the fuel, oil and transmission fluids I would check. Do you have engine detergents there? I would use a bottle after the filter has been replaced and fluids are checked. (Is the oil the correct weight?...

 

[altenae]

Our roads in some places are just terrible, and you feel everything! But when the roads are smooth, it's like driving on silk! Reno, NV has some of the best roads - compared to California. If the roads are good, you shouldn't feel anything. How many miles on your vehicle?

You might want to have all the fluids checked to be sure the correct ones have been used... and there are some areas to be checked (a tech will tell, I can't explain)... but the fuel, oil and transmission fluids I would check. Do you have engine detergents there? I would use a bottle after the filter has been replaced and fluids are checked. (Is the oil the correct weight?...

Oke thanks, There are 62000 miles in the car. They have replaced the Engine oil with 5W-40 Castrol Magnatec instead of 5W-30. About the Transmission, the Manual says first service on 150000 Miles. Seems a bit much. Is this correct ??

Edward

 

[Donner]

Yes...

The oil weight needed also depends on the weather there. But the transmission fluid should be changed... You should have all of your fluids changed along with the air filter and fuel filter. These are things that should be done either way... But I would get that transmission fluid drained and changed today.

What's the weather like there? Is it cold right now?

 

[altenae]

The oil weight needed also depends on the weather there. But the transmission fluid should be changed... You should have all of your fluids changed along with the air filter and fuel filter. These are things that should be done either way... But I would get that transmission fluid drained and changed today.

What's the weather like there? Is it cold right now?

It's about 8 degrees Celcius (46 F) here.

So the Transmission Fluid should be changed now ??. I ask you this one more time, because the manuals says 150.000 miles!
You mean change the whole 12 liters of Fluid ?
Motorcraft Mercon V right ??

By the way, thanks.

 

[Donner]

Yes, transmission fluid to be changed today...

Take a look at the service schedule detailed by Sleb in this link...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199764&highlight=service+schedule

 

[Donner]

You're welcome!

 

[altenae]

Hi all,

Replaced the fuelfilter, still the same problem. When sitting in the car and the engine runs idle you can feel the engine move. Any other issues I can check ??

Ik have ordered new Spark cables. Maybe this will fix it.

Where should I go from here ?

Edward
The Netherlands

 

[steventadams]

my '01 sport has a similar problem. realized pretty much the whole car was shaking like a day before i left for college so its going to have to wait a little bit till I get back. in july 07 it was idling pretty rough and there was some shaking but a cleaning of the IAC and MAF made it better for a while. im probably going to replace the IAC because its only like 50 dollars or so here and I've got some spark plug wires waiting for me at home. hopefully that will put the problem in check for a while until spring when i can be outside for more than 20 minutes without needing a break to get warm.

 

[BrooklynBay]

AlDive has a thread on this subject called Another Quest http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169335

 

[Donner]

quick questions...

Hi all,

Replaced the fuelfilter, still the same problem. When sitting in the car and the engine runs idle you can feel the engine move. Any other issues I can check ??

Ik have ordered new Spark cables. Maybe this will fix it.

Where should I go from here ?

Edward
The Netherlands

How long have you had the Ex? What did you drive before? My engine doesn't sit perfectly still, but no rough idle...

 

[altenae]

How long have you had the Ex? What did you drive before? My engine doesn't sit perfectly still, but no rough idle...

I have the explorer for 6 months now.
Before I drove a Ford Mondeo ST220 V6 3 L. It is the same engine as a Ford Taurus.

Edward

 

[Donner]

Sedan to SUV

Another member also has that vehicle... So the SUV is relatively new to you? You haven't drive SUVs or trucks before?

 

[altenae]

Another member also has that vehicle... So the SUV is relatively new to you? You haven't drive SUVs or trucks before?

No this is my first SUV

 

[Donner]

Enjoy the shake!

It's part of the territory, not as smooth as a sedan... Welcome to the SUV! As long as you follow the servicing recommendation, and change the fluids regularly, you have nothing to worry about. Now, if it's rattling the windows, and your neighbors are laughing at you, then you have to see a technician

 

[Nocturnall]

Try resetting your idle strategy. Do you have a haynes manual? You can try and clean the IAC and clean the maf. You can also try seafoam. All of those things there are threads on here so just search.

My 97 idles pretty smooth at 550rpms, it ever so slightly will studder here and there which you feel but for the most part it's smooth.

As far as the roads being tough you can try to change the shocks to a softer shock and see if that helps (Rancho 9000s are popular among board members), maybe air down your tires a little bit. Check your tire pressure and see where it's at.

Read up on aldives threads about what he's done to his truck, I'm sure his engine idle's smooth as silk. There is no need to "live" with it, and it's not party of the territory. I've driven and ridden in many smooth running trucks.