engine shakes/vibrates?

[Chamelion]

Hello,

I've got an AU3 wagon that seems to have an issue. When at idle, in gear but more pronounced in N, the engine shakes slightly.
It's only slightly visible, but you can feel it whilst sitting in the car.

Oh, if I have the car in gear but not moving there is a fast paced rattle too. I have checked the heat shield (just after the cat converter) and it MIGHT be the cause, but being a newbie I'm honestly not sure.

My car will be going to the mechanic in the new year, but in the meantime any thoughts appreciated. I've been absorbing information about these cars thick and fast and not afriad to get underneath it, so please don't be afriad to suggest things I can test to find the cause.

Cheers,

Matt.

PS: Car has done 156,000km. The plugs appear to be healthy, but I have no idea how long they have been in the case. The leads, unsure, one of them has had the sheath slightly worn into due to the throttle cable sheath resting on it.

[JC]

Clean the ISC valve for a start - it may actually need replacing. Rattle could be loose exhaust manifold - check the bolts.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by Chamelion

Hello,

I've got an AU3 wagon that seems to have an issue. When at idle, in gear but more pronounced in N, the engine shakes slightly.
It's only slightly visible, but you can feel it whilst sitting in the car.

Oh, if I have the car in gear but not moving there is a fast paced rattle too. I have checked the heat shield (just after the cat converter) and it MIGHT be the cause, but being a newbie I'm honestly not sure.

My car will be going to the mechanic in the new year, but in the meantime any thoughts appreciated. I've been absorbing information about these cars thick and fast and not afriad to get underneath it, so please don't be afriad to suggest things I can test to find the cause.

Cheers,

Matt.

PS: Car has done 156,000km. The plugs appear to be healthy, but I have no idea how long they have been in the case. The leads, unsure, one of them has had the sheath slightly worn into due to the throttle cable sheath resting on it.

when you lift the revs by depressing the throttle slightly does it smooth out ?
if so then adjust the iddle a little

[Chamelion]

Hi,

It's as smooth as a babies bum at all times other than when the car is stationary. How does one adjust the idle with these cars? (my camry was easy, screw driver and 10 seconds heh)

JC - I cleaned both the TB and ISC very recently, it's no better.

Cheers

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by atec77

when you lift the revs by depressing the throttle slightly does it smooth out ?
if so then adjust the iddle a little

do not adjust the idle the idle is controled by the ECU and if it is out there is something causing it. the base idle is preset and should not be adjusted unless you install a new throtle body and then there is a special procedure to get it right. the ISC is a good place to start as previously mentioned

[Chamelion]

Hmm ok, it's something else to add to my list of crap the dealer needs to tend to I suppose. Hopefully they get it sorted this time :(

[Mechan1k]

maybe there's an aftermarket cam installed that you don't know about ... hee hee

[Jokular]

perhaps engine mounts?
I have similar problem
car sorta shudders every few seconds you can feel it on your but at idle.
Maybe a bent pulley that drives the belt.
I havent been bothered too much with mine.
I really need to spend some alone time with my car and find out what's wrong ;)

[Chamelion]

Sounds about right Jokular, I can feel it on my rump. :p

The dealers mechanic put a new harmonic balancer in right before I bought it. The issue wasnt there before then, so perhaps that has something to do with it?

[Barossa Red AU3]

Ive Noticed Exactly the same it feels like a misfire but doesnt sound like it from the exhaust, does it when warmed up not when cold, Mines got brand new NGK Iridium Plugs and that makes no difference Might Try lower resistance leads.

[Chamelion]

Yep, thats the 'feeling' mate. I've got NGK iridiums coupled with standard motorcraft leads.

[Sleeperau]

Originally Posted by Chamelion

Yep, thats the 'feeling' mate. I've got NGK iridiums coupled with standard motorcraft leads.

Ask the Plug Guru (STAV) what his experiences are with NGK Irridiums.

[Sleeperau]

Leads are usually on the way out at 100k, try replacing them, even if it is not the problem it will add to reliability. I hope this helps

[Chamelion]

Cheers mate. I'm keen on replacing the leads as I'll be getting LPG installed soon and theres half the chance the plugs will be done too as a matter of course. Seeing as I don't know when they were last changed, unless it's easy to tell whether they're good or not, they'll have to be done.

I might do the leads myself sooner though, will just get christmas out of the way first.

[atec77]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

do not adjust the idle the idle is controled by the ECU and if it is out there is something causing it. the base idle is preset and should not be adjusted unless you install a new throtle body and then there is a special procedure to get it right. the ISC is a good place to start as previously mentioned

It needs checking , its common as the cars get older for the spring on the adjuster to soften and the screw unwind
In theory you are correct but the fault I describe is common

[Chamelion]

Is there any detailed information about how I can give it a go?

[Chamelion]

The car is back with the dealer to fix noticeable oil leaks and other issues. I noticed that the harmonic balancer, which was supposedly replaced right before I purchase the car, has a wobble in it.
Upon reading some information on the net I have to deduct that my problem is the balancer, so I've fired off an email to them to check it.

Little doubt they'll attempt to scrooge me for the third time in a row!?

[SirHenry]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

do not adjust the idle the idle is controled by the ECU and if it is out there is something causing it. the base idle is preset and should not be adjusted unless you install a new throtle body and then there is a special procedure to get it right. the ISC is a good place to start as previously mentioned

Sorry amigo Base Idle needs to be reset as well when battery is disconnected god knows its caught me out enough times. A reset might be worth a try or take it to Ford to get reset.

[JC]

Originally Posted by SirHenry

Sorry amigo Base Idle needs to be reset as well when battery is disconnected god knows its caught me out enough times. A reset might be worth a try or take it to Ford to get reset.

No, base idle never needs to be adjusted - if it does, then there are usually larger issues happening. The ECU needs to relearn after a battery disconnect, but the base idle does not need to be touched. I know how to adjust base idle on an E series, but not on an AU.

[StAndArdAU]

Have to add my 5cents and agree with JC, everytime the battery is disconnected for more than a few minutes it'll run like crap for a certain amount of days. mine usually takes 3 weeks before it goes back to normal. gives ya the $hits but something that 9/10 will work itself out when the ECU relearns your driving pattern and attitude.

Make sure your battery leads are nice and tight on the terminals too, and beware of the possible chance of stalling when turning corners (even in an auto, the revs drop right down on mine, its scary).

cleaning the ISC is a good maintenance item anyways, you'l be surprised how much crap can wash out of it eh.

[Crash Lander]

Mine has always had an unexplained 'shudder' almost like a miss, when at idle. There is no real rhyme or reason for it that I have found. Replaced plugs, and leads, and cleaned out ISC and TB to no avail. I was thinking maybe a coil pack, but in 45,oookm it's never gotten any better or worse.

[Chamelion]

I cleaned the ISC (twice), TB and did an ECU reset over a month ago to no avail, actually.

[BillC]

Just to throw something else into the mix. My XR8 did the same thing for years. I kept resetting the computer and this would fix the idle for a while but it would always get as bad as always after a couple of weeks. Anyway to cut a long story short it turned out to be the alternator. I noticed that my stereo had a function where I could monitor the battery voltage. It went up and down like a yo yo. 12.1 volts to 14.5 volts. Up and down and never sitting at one particular level. Because everything in the car runs on electronic sensors it effected everything including the base idle. When I replaced the alternator it fixed a few other issues as well. Just a thought that you may have a similar problem.

[Chamelion]

Cheers mate, I'll see about getting that checked.

[sleekism]

Originally Posted by Jokular

perhaps engine mounts?
I have similar problem
car sorta shudders every few seconds you can feel it on your but at idle.
Maybe a bent pulley that drives the belt.
I havent been bothered too much with mine.
I really need to spend some alone time with my car and find out what's wrong ;)

Awwww I thought it was normal for it to shake every few seconds at idle

[Barossa Red AU3]

This seems to be a common problem that maybee cant be fixed, My Suggestion go and drive someones Holden then hop back in your AU and realise its a dream compared to the V6 Holden Use, (Still wish i could fix it though)