I have a 1994 chevrolet cavalier wagon, 105,000 miles, 3.1L, 6cyl. It idles roughly to the point that my whole car shakes. I opened the hood and the engine looks like a vibrator. Also, when I accelerate the car goes vroom vrrooom vrrooom vrrooom before it gets to second or third gear. Very technical I know.

could it be anything to do with needed a new started. I have also just had my spark plugs and wires replaced.

8/21/2005 5:10:27 PM

if your engine really looks like a dildo

it probably just needs some lube and it'll run smoothly

8/21/2005 5:12:34 PM

^

8/21/2005 5:13:54 PM

Make sure that the wires are all snugged to the plugs and distributor on your car. If they aren't then one of them could be missing, causing it to vibrate like a cheap bed.

8/21/2005 5:14:00 PM

I just had a lube job.

whoops I'm slow..

8/21/2005 5:15:00 PM

motor mounts? maybe?

8/21/2005 5:44:00 PM

I would sugguest an intake cleaning, but you should check your plugs/ignition system and see what condition they are in.

8/21/2005 7:43:11 PM

Could be an ignition problem or a vacuum leak(cracked vacuum hoses, a valve stuck open, etc) That's about all the insight I can provide, and it may not even be right.

8/21/2005 8:37:18 PM

^^ yeah check your plugs and wires for corrosion

8/22/2005 12:32:38 AM

most likely an ignition problem then maybe fuel or vac hoses

Does it shake like hell going at 45 or 75 or is it just when accelerating?

8/22/2005 5:47:49 AM

PCV valve? could make it idle rough...

8/22/2005 7:18:02 AM

LETS ALL MAKE RANDOM GUESSES

8/22/2005 7:30:55 AM

okay
Check your rotator splint

8/22/2005 7:44:40 AM

I'm pretty familiar with the 3.1's...enough to know that the vibration probably stems from one of two things.

The first is engine mounts. Lots of the 3.1's used a single fluid-filled mount and torque struts to mount/stabilize the engine. Over time, degradation of the lower mount and fluid leakage basically allows a lot more engine vibration to reach the subframe and subsequently the rest of the car.

The second is ignition system. The distributorless system utilizes three separate coils that are fired individually by the ignition module that they sit on. I've replaced plenty of these coils that have gone bad. The end result is that when a coil goes bad, two cylinders stop firing, creating a loping miss situation.

As far as transmission shifting, it could have a lot to do with the power loss incurred when a coil fails.

Bottom line is this: there are a vast number of problems that could contribute to or aggravate this issue, and the above two are just several of the most common ones. You need to get the car checked out in person to get a better grip on what's happening.

Take it to your favorite mechanic locally, or some of us here in the Garage are more than qualified to check this out. I do work on the side myself, and so do several of the other fellas.

8/22/2005 9:50:12 AM

thank you

8/22/2005 2:08:29 PM